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THE PIRATES OWN BOOK

Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers.

by

Charles Ellms

1837





[Illustration: _A Piratical Scene--"Walking the Death Plank._"]






[Illustration]




PREFACE.


In the mind of the mariner, there is a superstitious horror connected
with the name of Pirate; and there are few subjects that interest and
excite the curiosity of mankind generally, more than the desperate
exploits, foul doings, and diabolical career of these monsters in human
form. A piratical crew is generally formed of the desperadoes and
runagates of every clime and nation. The pirate, from the perilous
nature of his occupation, when not cruising on the ocean, the great
highway of nations, selects the most lonely isles of the sea for his
retreat, or secretes himself near the shores of rivers, bays and lagoons
of thickly wooded and uninhabited countries, so that if pursued he can
escape to the woods and mountain glens of the interior. The islands of
the Indian Ocean, and the east and west coasts of Africa, as well as
the West Indies, have been their haunts for centuries; and vessels
navigating the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, are often captured by them,
the passengers and crew murdered, the money and most valuable part of
the cargo plundered, the vessel destroyed, thus obliterating all trace
of their unhappy fate, and leaving friends and relatives to mourn their
loss from the inclemencies of the elements, when they were butchered in
cold blood by their fellow men, who by practically adopting the maxim
that "dead men tell no tales," enable themselves to pursue their
diabolical career with impunity. The pirate is truly fond of women and
wine, and when not engaged in robbing, keeps maddened with intoxicating
liquors, and passes his time in debauchery, singing old songs with
chorusses like

  "Drain, drain the bowl, each fearless soul,
    Let the world wag as it will:
  Let the heavens growl, let the devil howl,
    Drain, drain the deep bowl and fill."

Thus his hours of relaxation are passed in wild and extravagant frolics
amongst the lofty forests of palms and spicy groves of the Torrid Zone,
and amidst the aromatic and beautiful flowering vegetable productions of
that region. He has fruits delicious to taste, and as companions, the
unsophisticated daughters of Africa and the Indies. It would be supposed
that his wild career would be one of delight.

But the apprehension and foreboding of the mind, when under the
influence of remorse, are powerful, and every man, whether civilized or
savage, has interwoven in his constitution a moral sense, which
secretly condemns him when he has committed an atrocious action, even
when he is placed in situations which raise him above the fear of human
punishment, for

  "Conscience, the torturer of the soul, unseen.
  Does fiercely brandish a sharp scourge within;
  Severe decrees may keep our tongues in awe,
  But to our minds what edicts can give law?
  Even you yourself to your own breast shall tell
  Your crimes, and your own conscience be your hell."

With the name of pirate is also associated ideas of rich plunder,
caskets of buried jewels, chests of gold ingots, bags of outlandish
coins, secreted in lonely, out of the way places, or buried about the
wild shores of rivers, and unexplored sea coasts, near rocks and trees
bearing mysterious marks, indicating where the treasure was hid. And as
it is his invariable practice to secrete and bury his booty, and from
the perilous life he leads, being often killed or captured, he can never
re-visit the spot again; immense sums remain buried in those places, and
are irrecoverably lost. Search is often made by persons who labor in
anticipation of throwing up with their spade and pickaxe, gold bars,
diamond crosses sparkling amongst the dirt, bags of golden doubloons,
and chests, wedged close with moidores, ducats and pearls; but although
great treasures lie hid in this way, it seldom happens that any is so
recovered.





[Illustration]




INTRODUCTION.


By the universal law of nations, robbery or forcible depredation upon
the "high seas," _animo furandi_, is piracy. The meaning of the phrase
"high seas," embraces not only the waters of the ocean, which are out of
sight of land, but the waters on the sea coast below low water mark,
whether within the territorial boundaries of a foreign nation, or of a
domestic state. Blackstone says that the main sea or high sea begins at
low water mark. But between the high water mark and low water mark,
where the tide ebbs and flows, the common law and the Admiralty have
_divisum imperium_, an alternate jurisdiction, one upon the water when
it is full sea; the other upon the land when it is ebb. He doubtless
here refers to the waters of the ocean on the sea coast, and not in
creeks and inlets. Lord Hale says that the sea is either that which
lies within the body of a country or without. That which lies without
the body of a country is called the main sea or ocean. So far then as
regards the states of the American union, "high seas," may be taken to
mean that part of the ocean which washes the sea coast, and is without
the body of any country, according to the common law; and so far as
regards foreign nations, any waters on their sea coasts, below low water
mark.

Piracy is an offence against the universal law of society, a pirate
being according to Sir Edward Coke, _stis humani generis_. As,
therefore, he has renounced all the benefits of society and government,
and has reduced himself to the savage state of nature, by declaring war
against all mankind, all mankind must declare war against him; so that
every community has a right by the rule of self-defense, to inflict that
punishment upon him which every individual would in a state of nature
otherwise have been entitled to do, for any invasion of his person or
personal property. By various statutes in England and the United States,
other offences are made piracy. Thus, if a subject of either of these
nations commit any act of hostility against a fellow subject on the high
seas, under color of a commission from any foreign power, this act is
piracy. So if any captain of any vessel, or mariner, run away with the
vessel, or the goods, or yield them up to a pirate voluntarily, or if
any seaman lay violent hands on his commander, to hinder him from
fighting in defence of the ship or goods committed to his charge, or
make a revolt in the ship, these offences are acts of piracy, by the
laws of the United States and England. In England by the statute of 8
George I, c. 24, the trading or corresponding with known pirates, or the
forcibly boarding any merchant vessel, (though without seizing her or
carrying her off,) and destroying any of the goods on board, are
declared to be acts of piracy; and by the statute 18 George II. c. 30,
any natural born subject or denizen who in time of war, shall commit any
hostilities at sea, against any of his fellow subjects, or shall assist
an enemy, on that element, is liable to be punished as a pirate. By
statute of George II. c. 25, the ransoming of any neutral vessel, which
has been taken by the captain of a private ship of war, is declared
piracy. By the act of congress, April 30, 1790, if any person upon the
high seas, or in any river, haven, or bay, out of the jurisdiction of
any particular state, commit murder or robbery, or any other offence
which if committed within the body of a county, would by the laws of the
United States, be punishable by death, such offender is to be deemed a
pirate. By the act of congress, 1820, c. 113, if any citizen of the
United States, being of the crew of any foreign vessel, or any person
being of the crew of any vessel owned in whole or part by any citizen of
the United States, shall be engaged in the foreign slave trade, he shall
be adjudged a pirate. Notwithstanding the expression used in this
statute, the question, says Chancellor Kent, remains to be settled,
whether the act of being concerned in the slave trade would be adjudged
piracy, within the code of international law. In England by the act of
parliament passed March 31, 1824, the slave trade is also declared to be
piracy. An attempt has been made to effect a convention between the
United States and Great Britain, by which it should be agreed that both
nations should consider the slave trade as piratical; but this attempt
has hitherto been unsuccessful. In the time of Richard III, by the laws
of Oberon, all infidels were regarded as pirates, and their property
liable to seizure wherever found. By the law of nations, the taking of
goods by piracy does not divest the actual owner of them. By the civil
institutions of Spain and Venice, ships taken from pirates became the
property of those who retake them. Piracy is every where pursued and
punished with death, and pirates can gain no rights by conquest. It is
of no importance, for the purpose of giving jurisdiction in cases of
piracy, on whom or where a piratical offence is committed. A pirate who
is one by the law of nations, may be tried and punished in any country
where he may be found; for he is reputed to be out of the protection of
all laws. But if the statute of any government declares an offence,
committed on board one of their own vessels, to be piracy; such an
offence will be punished exclusively by the nation which passes the
statute. In England the offence was formerly cognizable only by the
Admiralty courts, which proceeded without a jury in a method founded on
the civil law. But by the statute of Henry VIII. c. 15, it was enacted
that piracy should be tried by commissioners nominated by the lord
chancellor, the indictment being first found by a grand jury, of twelve
men, and afterwards tried by another jury, as at common law. Among the
commissioners, there are always some of the common law judges. In the
United States, pirates are tried before the circuit court of the United
States. Piracy has been known from the remotest antiquity; for in the
early ages every small maritime state was addicted to piracy, and
navigation was perilous. This habit was so general, that it was regarded
with indifference, and, whether merchant, traveller, or pirate, the
stranger was received with the rights of hospitality. Thus Nestor,
having given Mentor and Telemachus a plenteous repast, remarks, that the
banquet being finished, it was time to ask his guests to their business.
"Are you," demands the aged prince, "merchants destined to any port, or
are you merely adventurers and pirates, who roam the seas without any
place of destination, and live by rapine and ruin."

[Illustration]



TABLE OF CONTENTS


PREFACE

PREFACE TO THIS EDITION

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE DANISH AND NORMAN PIRATES

ADVENTURES AND EXPLOITS OF CAPTAIN AVERY

HISTORY OF THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES

SKETCH OF THE JOASSAMEE CHIEF--RAHMAH-BEN-JABIR

LIFE OF LAFITTE, THE PIRATE OF THE GULF

THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN ROBERTS

THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS

HISTORY AND EXECUTION OF THE SPANISH PIRATES

THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO

THE ADVENTURES OF CAPT. ROBERT KIDD

BLOODY CAREER AND EXECUTION OF VINCENT BENAVIDES

THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN DAVIS

AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES

THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN CONDENT

THE LIFE OF CAPT. EDWARD LOW

LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF CAPT. EDWARD ENGLAND

ACCOUNT OF THE LYNN PIRATES

HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES

THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN LEWIS

LIFE, CAREER, AND DEATH OF CAPT. THOMAS WHITE

LIFE, ATROCITIES, AND BLOODY DEATH OF BLACK BEARD

EXPLOITS, ARREST, AND EXECUTION OF CAPT. CHARLES VANE

THE WEST INDIA PIRATES

ADVENTURES AND EXECUTION OF CAPT. JOHN RACKAM

LIFE AND EXPLOITS OF ANNE BONNEY

ADVENTURES AND HEROISM OF MARY READ

HISTORY OF THE ALGERINE PIRATES

ADVENTURES, TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN GOW

THE PIRATE'S SONG



THE DANISH AND NORMAN PIRATES


The Saxons, a people supposed to be derived from the Cimbri, uniting the
occupations of fishing and piracy, commenced at an early period their
ravages in the German Ocean; and the shores of Gaul and Britain were for
ages open to their depredations. About the middle of the fifth century,
the unwarlike Vortigern, then king of Britain, embraced the fatal
resolution of requesting these hardy warriors to deliver him from the
harassing inroads of the Picts and Scots; and the expedition of Hengist
and Horsa was the consequence. Our mention of this memorable epoch is
not for its political importance, great as that is, but for its effects
on piracy; for the success attending such enterprises seems to have
turned the whole of the northern nations towards sea warfare. The Danes,
Norwegians, and Swedes, from their superior knowledge of navigation,
gave into it most; and on whatever coast the winds carried them, they
made free with all that came in their way. Canute the Fourth endeavored
in vain to repress these lawless disorders among his subjects; but they
felt so galled by his restrictions, that they assassinated him. On the
king of Sweden being taken by the Danes, permission was given to such of
his subjects as chose, to arm themselves against the enemy, pillage his
possessions, and sell their prizes at Ribnitz and Golnitz. This proved a
fertile nursery of pirates, who became so formidable under the name of
"Victalien Broders," that several princes were obliged to arm against
them, and hang some of their chiefs.

Even the females of the North caught the epidemic spirit, and proudly
betook themselves to the dangers of sea-life. Saxo-Grammaticus relates
an interesting story of one of them. Alwilda, the daughter of Synardus,
a Gothic king, to deliver herself from the violence imposed on her
inclination, by a marriage with Alf, the son of Sygarus, king of
Denmark, embraced the life of a rover; and attired as a man, she
embarked in a vessel of which the crew was composed of other young women
of tried courage, dressed in the same manner. Among the first of her
cruises, she landed at a place where a company of pirates were bewailing
the loss of their commander; and the strangers were so captivated with
the air and agreeable manners of Alwilda, that they unanimously chose
her for their leader. By this reinforcement she became so formidable,
that Prince Alf was despatched to engage her. She sustained his attacks
with great courage and talent; but during a severe action in the gulf of
Finland, Alf boarded her vessel, and having killed the greatest part of
her crew, seized the captain, namely herself; whom nevertheless he knew
not, because she had a casque which covered her visage. The prince was
agreeably surprised, on removing the helmet, to recognize his beloved
Alwilda; and it seems that his valor had now recommended him to the fair
princess, for he persuaded her to accept his hand, married her on board,
and then led her to partake of his wealth, and share his throne.

Charlemagne, though represented as naturally generous and humane, had
been induced, in his extravagant zeal for the propagation of those
tenets which he had himself adopted, to enforce them throughout Germany
at the point of the sword; and his murders and decimations on that
account disgrace humanity. The more warlike of the Pagans flying into
Jutland, from whence the Saxons had issued forth, were received with
kindness, and furnished with the means of punishing their persecutor, by
harassing his coasts. The maritime towns of France were especially
ravaged by those pirates called "Normands," or men of the North; and it
was owing to their being joined by many malcontents, in the provinces
since called Normandy, that that district acquired its name.
Charlemagne, roused by this effrontery, besides fortifying the mouths of
the great rivers, determined on building himself a fleet, which he did,
consisting of 400 of the largest galleys then known, some having five or
six benches of oars. His people were, however, extremely ignorant of
maritime affairs, and in the progress of having them taught, he was
suddenly called to the south, by the invasion of the Saracens.

[Illustration: _Awilda, the Female Pirate._]

Another division of Normans, some years afterwards, in the same spirit
of emigration, and thirsting, perhaps, to avenge their injured
ancestors, burst into the provinces of France, which the degeneracy of
Charlemagne's posterity, and the dissensions which prevailed there,
rendered an affair of no great difficulty. Louis le Debonnaire had taken
every means of keeping on good terms with them; annually persuading some
to become Christians, and then sending them home so loaded with
presents, that it was discovered they came to be baptized over and over
again, merely for the sake of the gifts, as Du Chesne tells us. But on
the subsequent division of the empire among the undutiful sons of Louis,
the pirates did not fail to take advantage of the general confusion;
braving the sea almost every summer in their light coracles, sailing up
the Seine, the Somme, or the Loire, and devastating the best parts of
France, almost without resistance. In 845, they went up to Paris,
pillaged it, and were on the point of attacking the royal camp at St.
Dennis; but receiving a large sum of money from Charles the Bald, they
retreated from thence, and with the new means thus supplied them,
ravaged Bordeaux, and were there joined by Pepin, king of Aquitaine. A
few years afterwards, they returned in great numbers. Paris was again
sacked, and the magnificent abbey of St. Germain des Prés burnt. In
861, Wailand, a famous Norman pirate, returning from England, took up
his winter quarters on the banks of the Loire, devastated the country as
high as Tourraine, shared the women and girls among his crews, and even
carried off the male children, to be brought up in his own profession.
Charles the Bald, not having the power to expel him, engaged the
freebooter, for 500 pounds of silver, to dislodge his countrymen, who
were harassing the vicinity of Paris. In consequence of this subsidy,
Wailand, with a fleet of 260 sail, went up the Seine, and attacked the
Normans in the isle of Oiselle: after a long and obstinate resistance,
they were obliged to capitulate; and having paid 6000 pounds of gold and
silver, by way of ransom, had leave to join their victors. The riches
thus acquired rendered a predatory life so popular, that the pirates
were continually increasing in number, so that under a "sea-king" called
Eric, they made a descent in the Elbe and the Weser, pillaged Hamburg,
penetrated far into Germany, and after gaining two battles, retreated
with immense booty. The pirates, thus reinforced on all sides, long
continued to devastate Germany, France, and England; some penetrated
into Andalusia and Hetruria, where they destroyed the flourishing town
of Luni; whilst others, descending the Dnieper, penetrated even into
Russia.

[Illustration: _A Priest thrown from the Ramparts of an Abbey._]

Meanwhile the Danes had been making several attempts to effect a
_lodgment_ in England; and allured by its fertility, were induced to try
their fortune in various expeditions, which were occasionally completely
successful, and at other times most fatally disastrous. At length, after
a struggle of several years, their success was so decided, that king
Alfred was obliged for a time to abandon his kingdom, as we all know, to
their ravages. They immediately passed over to Ireland, and divided it
into three sovereignties; that of Dublin fell to the share of Olauf;
that of Waterford to Sitrih; and that of Limerick to Yivar. These
arrangements dispersed the forces of the enemy, and watching his
opportunity, Alfred issued from his retreat, fell on them like a
thunderbolt, and made a great carnage of them. This prince, too wise to
exterminate the pirates after he had conquered them, sent them to settle
Northumberland, which had been wasted by their countrymen, and by this
humane policy gained their attachment and services. He then retook
London, embellished it, equipped fleets, restrained the Danes in
England, and prevented others from landing. In the twelve years of peace
which followed his fifty-six battles, this great man composed his body
of laws; divided England into counties, hundreds, and tithings, and
founded the University of Oxford. But after Alfred's death, fresh swarms
of pirates visited the shores, among the most formidable of whom were
the Danes, who spread desolation and misery along the banks of the
Thames, the Medway, the Severn, the Tamar, and the Avon, for more than a
century, though repeatedly tempted to desist by weighty bribes, raised
by an oppressive and humiliating tax called _Danegelt_, from its object;
and which, like most others, were continued long after it had answered
its intent.

About the end of the 9th century, one of the sons of Rognwald, count of
the Orcades, named Horolf, or Rollo, having infested the coasts of
Norway with piratical descents, was at length defeated and banished by
Harold, king of Denmark. He fled for safety to the Scandinavian island
of Soderoe, where finding many outlaws and discontented fugitives, he
addressed their passions, and succeeded in placing himself at their
head. Instead of measuring his sword with his sovereign again, he
adopted the wiser policy of imitating his countrymen, in making his
fortune by plundering the more opulent places of southern Europe. The
first attempt of this powerful gang was upon England, where, finding
Alfred too powerful to be coped with, he stood over to the mouth of the
Seine, and availed himself of the state to which France was reduced.
Horolf, however, did not limit his ambition to the acquisition of booty;
he wished permanently to enjoy some of the fine countries he was
ravaging, and after many treaties made and broken, received the dutchy
of Normandy from the lands of Charles the Simple, as a fief, together
with Gisla, the daughter of the French monarch, in marriage. Thus did a
mere pirate found the family which in a few years gave sovereigns to
England, Naples, and Sicily, and spread the fame of their talents and
prowess throughout the world.

Nor was Europe open to the depredations of the northern pirates only.
Some Asiatic moslems, having seized on Syria, immediately invaded
Africa, and their subsequent conquests in Spain facilitated their
irruption into France, where they pillaged the devoted country, with but
few substantial checks. Masters of all the islands in the Mediterranean,
their corsairs insulted the coasts of Italy, and even threatened the
destruction of the Eastern empire. While Alexis was occupied in a war
with Patzinaces, on the banks of the Danube, Zachas, a Saracen pirate,
scoured the Archipelago, having, with the assistance of an able
Smyrniote, constructed a flotilla of forty brigantines, and some light
fast-rowing boats, manned by adventurers like himself. After taking
several of the surrounding islands, he established himself sovereign of
Smyrna, that place being about the centre of his newly-acquired
dominions. Here his fortunes prospered for a time, and Soliman, sultan
of Nicea, son of the grand Soliman, sought his alliance, and married his
daughter, about AD. 1093. But in the following year, young Soliman being
persuaded that his father-in-law had an eye to his possessions, with his
own hand stabbed Zachas to the heart. The success of this freebooter
shows that the Eastern emperors could no longer protect, or even assist,
their islands.

Maritime pursuits had now revived, the improvement of nautical science
was progressing rapidly, and the advantages of predatory expeditions,
especially when assisted and masked by commerce, led people of family
and acquirements to embrace the profession. The foremost of these were
the Venetians and Genoese, among whom the private adventurers,
stimulated by an enterprising spirit, fitted out armaments, and
volunteered themselves into the service of those nations who thought
proper to retain them; or they engaged in such schemes of plunder as
were likely to repay their pains and expense. About the same time, the
Roxolani or Russians, became known in history, making their debut in the
character of pirates, ravenous for booty, and hungry for the pillage of
Constantinople--a longing which 900 years have not yet satisfied.
Pouring hundreds of boats down the Borysthenes, the Russian marauders
made four desperate attempts to plunder the city of the Caesars, in less
than two centuries, and appear only to have been repulsed by the
dreadful effects of the celebrated Greek fire.

England, in the mean time, had little to do with piracy; nor had she any
thing worthy the name of a navy; yet Coeur de Lion had given maritime
laws to Europe; her seamen, in point of skill, were esteemed superior to
their contemporaries; and King John enacted that those foreign ships
which refused to lower their flags to that of Britain should, if taken,
be deemed lawful prizes. Under Henry III., though Hugh de Burgh, the
governor of Dover Castle, had defeated a French fleet by casting lime
into the eyes of his antagonists, the naval force was impaired to such a
degree that the Normans and Bretons were too powerful for the Cinque
Ports, and compelled them to seek relief from the other ports of the
kingdom. The taste for depredation had become so general and contagious,
that privateers were now allowed to be fitted out, which equipments
quickly degenerated to the most cruel of pirates. Nay more: on the
disputes which took place between Henry and his Barons, in 1244, the
Cinque Ports, who had shown much indifference to the royal requisitions,
openly espoused the cause of the revolted nobles; and, under the orders
of Simon de Montfort, burnt Portsmouth. From this, forgetful of their
motives for arming, they proceeded to commit various acts of piracy, and
considering nothing but their private interests, extended their violence
not only against the shipping of all countries unfortunate enough to
fall in their way, but even to perpetrate the most unwarrantable ravages
on the property of their own countrymen. Nor was this confined to the
Cinque Port vessels only; the example and the profits were too
stimulating to the restless; and one daring association on the coast of
Lincolnshire seized the Isle of Ely, and made it their receptacle for
the plunder of all the adjacent countries. One William Marshall
fortified the little island of Lundy, in the mouth of the Severn, and
did so much mischief by his piracies, that at length it became necessary
to fit out a squadron to reduce him, which was accordingly done, and he
was executed in London; yet the example did not deter other persons from
similar practices. The sovereign, however, did not possess sufficient
naval means to suppress the enormities of the great predatory squadrons,
and their ravages continued to disgrace the English name for upwards of
twenty years, when the valor and conciliation of the gallant Prince
Edward brought them to that submission which his royal parent had failed
in procuring.

Those "harum-scarum" expeditions, the Crusades, were perhaps influential
in checking piracy, although the rabble that composed the majority of
them had as little principle as the worst of the freebooters. From the
time that Peter the Hermit set Europe in a blaze, all ranks, and all
nations, streamed to the East, so that few vessels were otherwise
employed than in conveying the motly groups who sought the shores of
Palestine; some from religious zeal; some from frantic fanaticism; some
from desire of distinction; some for the numberless privileges which the
crusaders acquired; and the rest and greater portion, for the spoil and
plunder of which they had a prospect. The armaments, fitted in no fewer
than nine successive efforts, were mostly equipped with such haste and
ignorance, and with so little choice, that ruinous delays, shipwrecks,
and final discomfiture, were naturally to be expected. Still, the effect
of such incredible numbers of people betaking themselves to foreign
countries, advanced civilization, although vast means of forwarding its
cause were buried in the East; and those who assert that no benefit
actually resulted, cannot deny that at least some evils were thereby
removed. Montesquieu says, that Europe then required a general shock, to
teach her, but the sight of contrasts, the theorems of public economy
most conducive to happiness. And it is evident, that notwithstanding
these follies wasted the population of Europe, squandered its treasures,
and infected us with new vices and diseases, still the crusades
diminished the bondage of the feudal system, by augmenting the power of
the King, and the strength of the Commons; while they also occasioned a
very increased activity in commerce: thus taming the ferocity of men's
spirits, increasing agriculture in value from the safety it enjoyed, and
establishing a base for permanent prosperity.




ADVENTURES AND EXPLOITS OF CAPTAIN AVERY.


_Containing an Account of his capturing one of the great Mogul's ship's
laden with treasure: and an interesting history of a Colony of Pirates
on the Island of Madagascar._

During his own time the adventures of Captain Avery were the subject of
general conversation in Europe. It was reported that he had married the
Great Mogul's daughter, who was taken in an Indian ship that fell into
his hands, and that he was about to be the founder of a new
monarchy--that he gave commissions in his own name to the captains of
his ships, and the commanders of his forces, and was acknowledged by
them as their prince. In consequence of these reports, it was at one
time resolved to fit out a strong squadron to go and take him and his
men; and at another time it was proposed to invite him home with all his
riches, by the offer of his Majesty's pardon. These reports, however,
were soon discovered to be groundless, and he was actually starving
without a shilling, while he was represented as in the possession of
millions. Not to exhaust the patience, or lessen the curiosity of the
reader, the facts in Avery's life shall be briefly related.

He was a native of Devonshire (Eng.), and at an early period sent to
sea; advanced to the station of a mate in a merchantman, he performed
several voyages. It happened previous to the peace of Ryswick, when
there existed an alliance between Spain, England, Holland, and other
powers, against France, that the French in Martinique carried on a
smuggling trade with the Spaniards on the continent of Peru. To prevent
their intrusion into the Spanish dominions, a few vessels were
commanded to cruise upon that coast, but the French ships were too
strong for them; the Spaniards, therefore, came to the resolution of
hiring foreigners to act against them. Accordingly, certain merchants of
Bristol fitted out two ships of thirty guns, well manned, and provided
with every necessary munition, and commanded them to sail for Corunna to
receive their orders.

Captain Gibson commanded one of these ships, and Avery appears to have
been his mate, in the year 1715. He was a fellow of more cunning than
courage, and insinuating himself into the confidence of some of the
boldest men in the ship, he represented the immense riches which were to
be acquired upon the Spanish coast, and proposed to run off with the
ship. The proposal was scarcely made when it was agreed upon, and put in
execution at ten o'clock the following evening. Captain Gibson was one
of those who mightily love their bottle, and spent much of his time on
shore; but he remained on board that night, which did not, however,
frustrate their design, because he had taken his usual dose, and so went
to bed. The men who were not in the confederacy went also to bed,
leaving none upon deck but the conspirators. At the time agreed upon,
the long boat of the other ship came, and Avery hailing her in the usual
manner, he was answered by the men in her, "Is your drunken boatswain on
board?" which was the watchword agreed between them. Avery replying in
the affirmative, the boat came alongside with sixteen stout fellows, who
joined in the adventure. They next secured the hatches, then softly
weighed anchor, and immediately put to sea without bustle or noise.
There were several vessels in the bay, besides a Dutchman of forty guns,
the captain of which was offered a considerable reward to go in pursuit
of Avery, but he declined. When the captain awoke, he rang his bell, and
Avery and another conspirator going into the cabin, found him yet half
asleep. He inquired, saying, "What is the matter with the ship? does
she drive? what weather is it?" supposing that it had been a storm, and
that the ship was driven from her anchors. "No, no," answered Avery,
"we're at sea, with a fair wind and a good weather." "At sea!" said the
captain: "how can that be?" "Come," answered Avery, "don't be in a
fright, but put on your clothes, and I'll let you into a secret. You
must know that I am captain of this ship now, and this is my cabin,
therefore you must walk out; I am bound to Madagascar, with a design of
making my own fortune, and that of all the brave fellows joined with
me."

The captain, having a little recovered his senses, began to understand
his meaning. However, his fright was as great as before, which Avery
perceiving, desired him to fear nothing; "for," said he, "if you have a
mind to make one of us, we will receive you; and if you turn sober, and
attend to business, perhaps in time I may make you one of my
lieutenants; if not, here's a boat, and you shall be set on shore."
Gibson accepted of the last proposal; and the whole crew being called up
to know who was willing to go on shore with the captain, there were only
about five or six who chose to accompany him.

Avery proceeded on his voyage to Madagascar, and it does not appear that
he captured any vessels upon his way. When arrived at the northeast part
of that island, he found two sloops at anchor, which, upon seeing him,
slipped their cables and ran themselves ashore, while the men all landed
and concealed themselves in the woods. These were two sloops which the
men had run off with from the East Indies, and seeing Avery's ship,
supposed that he had been sent out after them. Suspecting who they were,
he sent some of his men on shore to inform them that they were friends,
and to propose a union for their common safety. The sloops' men being
well armed, had posted themselves in a wood, and placed sentinels to
observe whether the ship's men were landing to pursue them. The
sentinels only observing two or three men coming towards them unarmed,
did not oppose them. Upon being informed that they were friends, the
sentinels conveyed them to the main body, where they delivered their
message. They were at first afraid that it was a stratagem to entrap
them, but when the messengers assured them that their captain had also
run away with his ship, and that a few of their men along with him would
meet them unarmed, to consult matters for their common advantage,
confidence was established, and they were mutually well pleased, as it
added to their strength.

Having consulted what was most proper to be attempted they endeavored to
get off the sloops, and hastened to prepare all things, in order to sail
for the Arabian coast. Near the river Indus, the man at the mast-head
espied a sail, upon which they gave chase; as they came nearer to her,
they discovered that she was a tall vessel, and might turn out to be an
East Indiaman. She, however, proved a better prize; for when they fired
at her she hoisted Mogul colors, and seemed to stand upon her defence.
Avery only cannonaded at a distance, when some of his men began to
suspect that he was not the hero they had supposed. The sloops, however
attacked, the one on the bow, and another upon the quarter of the ship,
and so boarded her. She then struck her colors. She was one of the Great
Mogul's own ships, and there were in her several of the greatest persons
in his court, among whom, it was said, was one of his daughters going
upon a pilgrimage to Mecca; and they were carrying with them rich
offerings to present at the shrine of Mahomet. It is a well known fact,
that the people of the east travel with great magnificence, so that
these had along with them all their slaves and attendants, with a large
quantity of vessels of gold and silver, and immense sums of money to
defray their expenses by land; the spoil therefore which they received
from that ship was almost incalculable.

[Illustration: _Captain Avery engaging the Great Mogul's Ship._]

Taking the treasure on board their own ships, and plundering their prize
of every thing valuable, they then allowed her to depart. As soon as the
Mogul received this intelligence, he threatened to send a mighty army to
extirpate the English from all their settlements upon the Indian coast.
The East India Company were greatly alarmed, but found means to calm his
resentment, by promising to search for the robbers, and deliver them
into his hands. The noise which this made over all Europe, gave birth to
the rumors that were circulated concerning Avery's greatness.

In the mean time, our adventurers made the best of their way back to
Madagascar, intending to make that place the deposit of all their
treasure, to build a small fort, and to keep always a few men there for
its protection. Avery, however, disconcerted this plan, and rendered it
altogether unnecessary.

[Illustration: _Captain Avery receiving the three chests of Treasure on
board of his Ship._]

While steering their course, Avery sent a boat to each of the sloops,
requesting that the chiefs would come on board his ship to hold a
conference. They obeyed, and being assembled, he suggested to them the
necessity of securing the property which they had acquired in some safe
place on shore, and observed, that the chief difficulty was to get it
safe on shore; adding that, if either of the sloops should be attacked
alone, they would not be able to make any great resistance, and thus she
must either be sunk or taken with all the property on board. That, for
his part, his ship was so strong, so well manned, and such a
swift-sailing vessel, that he did not think it was possible for any
other ship to take or overcome her. Accordingly, he proposed that all
their treasure should be sealed up in three chests;--that each of the
captains should have keys, and that they should not be opened until all
were present;--that the chests should be then put on board his ship, and
afterwards lodged in some safe place upon land.

This proposal seemed so reasonable, and so much for the common good,
that it was without hesitation agreed to, and all the treasure deposited
in three chests, and carried to Avery's ship. The weather being
favorable, they remained all three in company during that and the next
day; meanwhile Avery, tampering with his men, suggested, that they had
now on board what was sufficient to make them all happy; "and what,"
continued he, "should hinder us from going to some country where we are
not known, and living on shore all the rest of our days in plenty?" They
soon understood his hint, and all readily consented to deceive the men
of the sloops, and fly with all the booty; this they effected during the
darkness of the following night. The reader may easily conjecture what
were the feelings and indignation of the other two crews in the morning,
when they discovered that Avery had made off with all their property.

Avery and his men hastened towards America, and being strangers in that
country, agreed to divide the booty, to change their names, and each
separately to take up his residence, and live in affluence and honor.
The first land they approached was the Island of Providence, then newly
settled. It however occurred to them, that the largeness of their
vessel, and the report that one had been run off with from the Groine,
might create suspicion; they resolved therefore to dispose of their
vessel at Providence. Upon this resolution, Avery, pretending that his
vessel had been equipped for privateering, and having been unsuccessful,
he had orders from the owners to dispose of her to the best advantage,
soon found a merchant. Having thus sold his own ship, he immediately
purchased a small sloop.

In this he and his companions embarked, and landed at several places in
America, where, none suspecting them, they dispersed and settled in the
country. Avery, however, had been careful to conceal the greater part of
the jewels and other valuable articles, so that his riches were immense.
Arriving at Boston, he was almost resolved to settle there, but, as the
greater part of his wealth consisted of diamonds, he was apprehensive
that he could not dispose of them at that place, without being taken up
as a pirate. Upon reflection, therefore, he resolved to sail for
Ireland, and in a short time arrived in the northern part of that
kingdom, and his men dispersed into several places. Some of them
obtained the pardon of King William, and settled in that country.

The wealth of Avery, however, now proved of small service, and
occasioned him great uneasiness. He could not offer his diamonds for
sale in that country without being suspected. Considering, therefore,
what was best to be done, he thought there might be some person at
Bristol he could venture to trust. Upon this he resolved, and going into
Devonshire, sent to one of his friends to meet him at a town called
Bideford. When he had unbosomed himself to him and other pretended
friends, they agreed that the safest plan would be to put his effects
into the hands of some wealthy merchants, and no inquiry would be made
how they came by them. One of these friends told him, he was acquainted
with some who were very fit for the purpose, and if he would allow them
a handsome commission, they would do the business faithfully. Avery
liked the proposal, particularly as he could think of no other way of
managing this matter, since he could not appear to act for himself.
Accordingly, the merchants paid Avery a visit at Bideford, where, after
strong protestations of honor and integrity, he delivered them his
effects, consisting of diamonds and some vessels of gold. After giving
him a little money for his present subsistence, they departed.

He changed his name, and lived quietly at Bideford, so that no notice
was taken of him. In a short time his money was all spent, and he heard
nothing from his merchants though he wrote to them repeatedly; at last
they sent him a small supply, but it was not sufficient to pay his
debts. In short, the remittances they sent him were so trifling, that he
could with difficulty exist. He therefore determined to go privately to
Bristol, and have an interview with the merchants himself,--where,
instead of money, he met with a mortifying repulse; for, when he desired
them to come to an account with him, they silenced him by threatening to
disclose his character; the merchants thus proving themselves as good
pirates on land as he was at sea.

Whether he was frightened by these menaces, or had seen some other
person who recognised him, is not known; however, he went immediately to
Ireland, and from thence solicited his merchants very strongly for a
supply, but to no purpose; so that he was reduced to beggary. In this
extremity he was determined to return, and cast himself upon the mercy
of these honest Bristol merchants, let the consequence be what it would.
He went on board a trading-vessel, and worked his passage over to
Plymouth, from whence he travelled on foot to Bideford. He had been
there but a few days, when he fell sick and died; not being worth so
much as would buy him a coffin!

We shall now turn back and give our readers some account of the other
two sloops. Deceiving themselves in the supposition that Avery had
outsailed them during the night, they held on their course to the place
of rendezvouse; but, arriving there, to their sad disappointment no ship
appeared. It was now necessary for them to consult what was most proper
to do in their desperate circumstances. Their provisions were nearly
exhausted, and both fish and fowl were to be found on shore, yet they
were destitute of salt to cure them. As they could not subsist at sea
without salt provisions, they resolved to form an establishment upon
land. Accordingly making tents of the sails, and using the other
materials of the sloops for what purposes they could serve, they
encamped upon the shore. It was also a fortunate circumstance, that they
had plenty of ammunition and small arms. Here they met with some of
their countrymen; and as the digression is short, we will inform our
readers how they came to inhabit this place.

Captain George Dew, and Thomas Tew, had received a commission from the
Governor of Bermuda to sail for the river Gambia, in Africa, that, with
the assistance of the Royal African Company, they might seize the French
Factory situated upon that coast. Dew, in a violent storm, not only
sprang a mast, but lost sight of his companion. Upon this returned to
refit. Instead of proceeding in his voyage, Tew made towards the Cape of
Good Hope, doubled that cape, and sailed for the straits of
Babel-Mandeb. There he met with a large ship richly laden coming from
the Indies, and bound for Arabia. Though she had on board three hundred
soldiers, besides seamen, yet Tew had the courage to attack her, and
soon made her his prize. It is reported, that by this one prize every
man shared near three thousand pounds. Informed by the prisoners that
five other ships were to pass that way, Tew would have attacked them,
but was prevented by the remonstrances of his quarter-master and others.
This difference of opinion terminated in a resolution to abandon the
sea, and to settle on some convenient spot on shore; and the island of
Madagascar was chosen. Tew, however, and a few others, in a short time
went for Rhode Island, and obtained a pardon.

The natives of Madagascar are negroes, but differ from those of Guinea
in the length of their hair and in the blackness of their complexion.
They are divided into small nations, each governed by its own prince,
who carry on a continual war upon each other. The prisoners taken in war
are either rendered slaves to the conquerors, sold, or slain, according
to pleasure. When the pirates first settled among them, their alliance
was much courted by these princes, and those whom they joined were
always successful in their wars, the natives being ignorant of the use
of fire-arms. Such terror did they carry along with them, that the very
appearance of a few pirates in an army would have put the opposing force
to flight.

By these means they in a little time became very formidable, and the
prisoners whom they took in war they employed in cultivating the ground,
and the most beautiful of the women they married; nor were they
contented with one, but married as many as they could conveniently
maintain. The natural result was, that they separated, each choosing a
convenient place for himself, where he lived in a princely style,
surrounded by his wives, slaves and dependants. Nor was it long before
jarring interests excited them also to draw the sword against each
other, and they appeared at the head of their respective forces in the
field of battle. In these civil wars their numbers and strength were
greatly lessened.

The servant, exalted to the condition of a master, generally becomes a
tyrant. These pirates, unexpectedly elevated to the dignity of petty
princes, used their power with the most wanton barbarity. The punishment
of the very least offence was to be tied to a tree, and instantly shot
through the head. The negroes, at length, exasperated by continued
oppression, formed the determination of extirpating them in one night;
nor was it a difficult matter to accomplish this, since they were now so
much divided both in affection and residence. Fortunately, however, for
them, a negro woman, who was partial to them, ran twenty miles in three
hours, and warning them of their danger, they were united and in arms to
oppose the negroes before the latter had assembled. This narrow escape
made them more cautious, and induced them to adopt the following system
of policy:--

Convinced that fear was not a sufficient protection, and that the
bravest man might be murdered by a coward in his bed, they labored to
foment wars among the negro princes, while they themselves declined to
aid either party. It naturally followed, that those who were vanquished
fled to them for protection, and increased their strength. When there
was no war, they fomented private discords, and encouraged them to wreak
their vengeance against each other; nay, even taught them how to
surprise their opponents, and furnished them with fire-arms, with which
to dispatch them more effectually and expeditiously. The consequences
were, that the murderer was constrained to fly to them for protection,
with his wives, children, and kindred. These, from interest, became true
friends, as their own safety depended upon the lives of their
protectors. By this time the pirates were so formidable, that none of
the negro princes durst attack them in open war.

[Illustration: _Captain Tew attacks the ship from India._]

Pursuing this system of policy, in a short time each chief had his party
greatly increased, and they divided like so many tribes, in order to
find ground to cultivate, and to choose proper places to build places of
residence and erect garrisons of defence. The fears that agitated them
were always obvious in their general policy, for they vied with each
other in constructing places of safety, and using every precaution to
prevent the possibility of sudden danger, either from the negroes or
from one another.

A description of one of these dwellings will both show the fears that
agitated these tyrants, and prove entertaining to the reader. They
selected a spot overgrown with wood, near a river, and raised a rampart
or ditch round it, so straight and steep that it was impossible to climb
it, more particularly by those who had no scaling ladders. Over that
ditch there was one passage into the wood; the dwelling, which was a
hut, was built in that part of the wood which the prince thought most
secure, but so covered that it could not be discovered until you came
near it. But the greatest ingenuity was displayed in the construction of
the passage that led to the hut, which was so narrow, that no more than
one person could go abreast, and it was contrived in so intricate a
manner, that it was a perfect labyrinth; the way going round and round
with several small crossways, so that a person unacquainted with it,
might walk several hours without finding the hut. Along the sides of
these paths, certain large thorns, which grew on a tree in that country,
were stuck into the ground with their points outwards; and the path
itself being serpentine, as before mentioned, if a man should attempt to
approach the hut at night, he would certainly have struck upon these
thorns.

[Illustration: _A Pirate and his Madagascar wife._]

Thus like tyrants they lived, dreading, and dreaded by all, and in this
state they were found by Captain Woods Rogers, when he went to
Madagascar in the Delicia, a ship of forty guns, with the design of
purchasing slaves. He touched upon a part of the island at which no ship
had been seen for seven or eight years before, where he met with some
pirates who had been upon the island above twenty-five years. There were
only eleven of the original stock then alive, surrounded with a numerous
offspring of children and grandchildren.

They were struck with terror upon the sight of the vessel, supposing
that it was a man-of-war sent out to apprehend them; they, therefore,
retired to their secret habitations. But when they found some of the
ship's crew on shore, without any signs of hostility, and proposing to
treat with them for slaves, they ventured to come out of their dwellings
attended like princes. Having been so long upon the island, their cloaks
were so much worn, that their majesties were extremely out at elbows. It
cannot be said that they were ragged, but they had nothing to cover them
but the skins of beasts in their natural state, not even a shoe or
stocking; so that they resembled the pictures of Hercules in the lion's
skin; and being overgrown with beard, and hair upon their bodies, they
appeared the most savage figures that the human imagination could well
conceive.

The sale of the slaves in their possession soon provided them with more
suitable clothes, and all other necessaries, which they received in
exchange. Meanwhile, they became very familiar, went frequently on
board, and were very eager in examining the inside of the ship, talking
very familiarly with the men, and inviting them on shore. Their design
was to surprise the ship during the night. They had a sufficient number
of men and boats to effect their purpose, but the captain suspecting
them, kept so strong a watch upon deck, that they found it in vain to
hazard an attempt. When some of the men went on shore, they entered into
a plan to seize the ship, but the captain observing their familiarity,
prevented any one of his men from speaking to the pirates, and only
permitted a confidential person to purchase their slaves. Thus he
departed from the island, leaving these pirates to enjoy their savage
royalty. One of them had been a waterman upon the Thames, and having
committed a murder, fled to the West Indies. The rest had all been
foremastmen, nor was there one among them who could either read or
write.

[Illustration: _Captain Avery's Treasure._]




THE REMARKABLE HISTORY OF THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES OF
THE PERSIAN GULF.


_Containing a description of their chief town, Ras El Khyma, and an
account of the capture of several European vessels, and the barbarous
treatment of their crews.--With interesting details of the several
expeditions sent against them, and their final submission to the troops
of the English East India Company_.

The line of coast from Cape Mussenndom to Bahrain, on the Arabian side
of the Persian Gulf, had been from time immemorial occupied by a tribe
of Arabs called Joassamees. These, from local position, were all engaged
in maritime pursuits. Some traded in their own small vessels to
Bussorah, Bushire, Muscat, and even India; others annually fished in
their own boats on the pearl banks of Bahrain; and a still greater
number hired themselves out as sailors to navigate the coasting small
craft of the Persian Gulf.

The Joassamees at length perceiving that their local position enabled
them to reap a rich harvest by plundering vessels in passing this great
highway of nations, commenced their piratical career. The small coasting
vessels of the gulf, from their defenceless state, were the first object
of their pursuit, and these soon fell an easy prey; until, emboldened by
success, they directed their views to more arduous enterprises, and
having tasted the sweets of plunder in the increase of their wealth, had
determined to attempt more promising victories.

About the year 1797, one of the East India Company's vessels of war, the
Viper, of ten guns, was lying at anchor in the inner roads of Bushire.
Some dows of the Joassamees were at the same moment anchored in the
harbor; but as their warfare had hitherto been waged only against what
are called native vessels, and they had either feared or respected the
British flag, no hostile measures were ever pursued against them by the
British ships. The commanders of these dows had applied to the Persian
agent of the East India Company there, for a supply of gunpowder and
cannon shot for their cruise: and as this man had no suspicions of their
intentions, he furnished them with an order to the commanding officer on
board for the quantity required. The captain of the Viper was on shore
at the time, in the agent's house, but the order being produced to the
officer on board, the powder and shot were delivered, and the dows
weighed and made sail. The crew of the Viper were at this moment taking
their breakfast on deck, and the officers below; when on a sudden, a
cannonading was opened on them by two of the dows, who attempted also to
board.

[Illustration: _A Joassamee Dow in full chase._]

The officers, leaping on deck, called the crew to quarters, and cutting
their cable, got sail upon the ship, so as to have the advantage of
manoeuvring. A regular engagement now took place between this small
cruiser and four dows, all armed with great guns, and full of men. In
the contest Lieut. Carruthers, the commanding officer, was once wounded
by a ball in the loins; but after girding a handkerchief round his
waist, he still kept the deck, till a ball entering his forehead, he
fell. Mr. Salter, the midshipman on whom the command devolved, continued
the fight with determined bravery, and after a stout resistance, beat
them off, chased them some distance out to sea, and subsequently
regained the anchorage in safety.

Several years elapsed before the wounds of the first defeat were
sufficiently healed to induce a second attempt on vessels under the
British flag, though a constant state of warfare was still kept up
against the small craft of the gulf. In 1804, the East India Company's
cruiser, Fly, was taken by a French privateer, off the Island of Kenn,
in the Persian Gulf; but before the enemy boarded her, she ran into
shoal water, near that island, and sunk the government dispatches, and
some treasure with which they were charged, in about two and a half
fathoms of water, taking marks for the recovery of them, if possible, at
some future period. The passengers and crew were taken to Bushire where
they were set at liberty, and having purchased a country dow by
subscription, they fitted her out and commenced their voyage down the
gulf, bound for Bombay. On their passage down, as they thought it would
be practicable to recover the government packet and treasure sunk off
Kenn, they repaired to that island, and were successful, after much
exertion, in recovering the former, which being in their estimation of
the first importance, as the dispatches were from England to Bombay,
they sailed with them on their way thither, without loss of time.

Near the mouth of the gulf, they were captured by a fleet of Joassamee
boats, after some resistance, in which several were wounded and taken
into their chief port at Ras-el-Khyma. Here they were detained in hope
of ransome, and during their stay were shown to the people of the town
as curiosities, no similar beings having been before seen there within
the memory of man. The Joassamee ladies were so minute in their
enquiries, indeed, that they were not satisfied without determining in
what respect an uncircumcised infidel differed from a true believer.

When these unfortunate Englishmen had remained for several months in the
possession of the Arabs, and no hope of their ransom appeared, it was
determined to put them to death, and thus rid themselves of unprofitable
enemies. An anxiety to preserve life, however, induced the suggestion,
on their parts, of a plan for the temporary prolongation of it, at
least. With this view they communicated to the chief of the pirates the
fact of their having sunk a quantity of treasure near the island of
Kenn, and of their knowing the marks of the spot, by the bearings of
objects on shore, with sufficient accuracy to recover it, if furnished
with good divers. They offered, therefore, to purchase their own
liberty, by a recovery of this money for their captors; and on the
fulfillment of their engagement it was solemnly promised to be granted
to them.

They soon sailed for the spot, accompanied by divers accustomed to that
occupation on the pearl banks of Bahrain; and, on their anchoring at the
precise points of bearing taken, they commenced their labors. The first
divers who went down were so successful, that all the crew followed in
their turns, so that the vessel was at one time almost entirely
abandoned at anchor. As the men, too, were all so busily occupied in
their golden harvest, the moment appeared favorable for escape; and the
still captive Englishmen were already at their stations to overpower the
few on board, cut the cable, and make sail. Their motions were either
seen or suspected, as the divers repaired on board in haste, and the
scheme was thus frustrated. They were now given their liberty as
promised, by being landed on the island of Kenn, where, however, no
means offered for their immediate escape. The pirates, having at the
same time landed themselves on the island, commenced a general massacre
of the inhabitants, in which their released prisoners, fearing they
might be included, fled for shelter to clefts and hiding places in the
rocks. During their refuge here, they lived on such food as chance threw
in their way; going out under cover of the night to steal a goat and
drag it to their haunts. When the pirates had at length completed their
work of blood, and either murdered or driven off every former inhabitant
of the island, they quitted it themselves, with the treasure which they
had thus collected from the sea and shore. The Englishmen now ventured
to come out from their hiding places, and to think of devising some
means of escape. Their good fortune in a moment of despair, threw them
on the wreck of a boat, near the beach, which was still capable of
repair. In searching about the now deserted town, other materials were
found, which were of use to them, and sufficient plank and logs of wood
for the construction of a raft. These were both completed in a few days,
and the party embarked on them in two divisions, to effect a passage to
the Persian shore. One of these rafts was lost in the attempt, and all
on board her perished; while the raft, with the remainder of the party
reached land.

Having gained the main land they now set out on foot towards Bushire,
following the line of the coast for the sake of the villages and water.
In this they are said to have suffered incredible hardships and
privations of every kind. No one knew the language of the country
perfectly, and the roads and places of refreshment still less; they were
in general destitute of clothes and money, and constantly subject to
plunder and imposition, poor as they were. Their food was therefore
often scanty, and always of the worst kind; and they had neither shelter
from the burning sun of the day, nor from the chilling dews of night.

The Indian sailors, sipakees, and servants, of whom a few were still
remaining when they set out, had all dropped off by turns; and even
Europeans had been abandoned on the road, in the most affecting way,
taking a last adieu of their comrades, who had little else to expect but
soon to follow their fate. One instance is mentioned of their having
left one who could march no further, at the distance of only a mile from
a village; and on returning to the spot on the morrow, to bring him in,
nothing was found but his mangled bones, as he had been devoured in the
night by jackals. The packet being light was still, however, carried by
turns, and preserved through all obstacles and difficulties; and with it
they reached at length the island of Busheap, to which they crossed over
in a boat from the main. Here they were detained by the Sheikh, but at
length he provided them with a boat for the conveyance of themselves and
dispatches to Bushire. From this place they proceeded to Bombay, but of
all the company only two survived. A Mr. Jowl, an officer of a merchant
ship, and an English sailor named Penmel together with the bag of
letters and dispatches.

In the following year, two English brigs, the Shannon, Capt. Babcock,
and the Trimmer, Capt. Cummings, were on their voyage from Bombay to
Bussorah. These were both attacked, near the Islands of Polior and
Kenn, by several boats, and after a slight resistance on the part of the
Shannon only, were taken possession of, and a part of the crew of each,
cruelly put to the sword. Capt. Babcock, having been seen by one of the
Arabs to discharge a musket during the contest, was taken by them on
shore; and after a consultation on his fate, it was determined that he
should forfeit the arm by which this act of resistance was committed. It
was accordingly severed from his body by one stroke of a sabre, and no
steps were taken either to bind up the wound, or to prevent his bleeding
to death. The captain, himself, had yet sufficient presence of mind
left, however, to think of his own safety, and there being near him some
clarified butter, he procured this to be heated, and while yet warm,
thrust the bleeding stump of his arm into it. It had the effect of
lessening the effusion of blood, and ultimately of saving a life that
would otherwise most probably have been lost. The crew were then all
made prisoners, and taken to a port of Arabia, from whence they
gradually dispersed and escaped. The vessels themselves were
additionally armed, one of them mounting twenty guns, manned with Arab
crews, and sent from Ras-el-Khyma to cruise in the gulf, where they
committed many piracies.

In the year 1808, the force of the Joassamees having gradually
increased, and becoming flushed with the pride of victory, their
insulting attacks on the British flag were more numerous and more
desperate than ever. The first of these was on the ship Minerva, of
Bombay, on her voyage to Bussorah. The attack was commenced by several
boats, (for they never cruize singly,) and a spirited resistance in a
running fight was kept up at intervals for several days in succession. A
favorable moment offered, however, for boarding; the ship was
overpowered by numbers, and carried amidst a general massacre. The
captain was said to have been cut up into separate pieces, and thrown
overboard by fragments; the second mate and carpenter alone were spared,
probably to make use of their services; and an Armenian lady, the wife
of Lieut. Taylor, then at Bushire, was reserved perhaps for still
greater sufferings. But was subsequently ransomed for a large sum.

[Illustration: _The Pirates striking off the arm of Capt. Babcock._]

A few weeks after this, the Sylph, one of the East India Company's
cruisers, of sixty tons and mounting eight guns, was accompanying the
mission under Sir Hartford Jones, from Bombay, to Persia; when being
separated from the rest of the squadron, she was attacked in the gulf by
a fleet of dows. These bore down with all the menacing attitude of
hostility; but as the commander, Lieut. Graham had received orders from
the Bombay government, not to open his fire on any of these vessels
until he had been first fired on himself, the ship was hardly prepared
for battle, and the colors were not even hoisted to apprise them to what
nation she belonged. The dows approached, threw their long overhanging
prows across the Sylph's beam, and pouring in a shower of stones on her
deck, beat down and wounded almost every one who stood on it. They then
boarded, and made the ship an easy prize, before more than a single shot
had been fired, and in their usual way, put every one whom they found
alive to the sword. Lieut. Graham fell, covered with wounds, down the
fore hatchway of his own vessel, where he was dragged by some of the
crew into a store room, in which they had secreted themselves, and
barricaded the door with a crow-bar from within. The cruiser was thus
completely in the possession of the enemy, who made sail on her, and
were bearing her off in triumph to their own port, in company with their
boats. Soon after, however, the commodore of the squadron in the Neried
frigate hove in sight, and perceiving this vessel in company with the
dows, judged her to be a prize to the pirates. She accordingly gave them
all chase, and coming up with the brig, the Arabs took to their boats
and abandoned her. The chase was continued after the dows, but without
success.

[Illustration: _The Neried Frigate chasing a Fleet of Joassamee Dows._]

These repeated aggressions at length opened the eyes of the East India
Government, and an expedition was accordingly assembled at Bombay. The
naval force consisted of La Chiffone, frigate, Capt. Wainwright, as
commodore. The Caroline of thirty-eight guns; and eight of the East
India Company's cruisers, namely, the Mornington, Ternate, Aurora,
Prince of Wales, Ariel, Nautilus, Vestal and Fury, with four large
transports, and the Stromboli bomb-ketch. The fleet sailed from Bombay
in September, and after a long passage they reached Muscat, where it
remained for many days to refresh and arrange their future plans; they
sailed and soon reached Ras-el-Khyma, the chief port of the pirates
within the gulf. Here the squadron anchored abreast of the town, and the
troops were landed under cover of the ships and boats. The inhabitants
of the town assembled in crowds to repel the invaders; but the firm
line, the regular volleys, and the steady charge of the troops at the
point of the bayonet, overcame every obstacle, and multiplied the heaps
of the slain. A general conflagration was then ordered, and a general
plunder to the troops was permitted. The town was set on fire in all
parts, and about sixty sail of boats and dows, with the Minerva, a ship
which they had taken, then lying in the roads were all burnt and
destroyed.

The complete conquest of the place was thus effected with very trifling
loss on the part of the besiegers, and some plunder collected; though it
was thought that most of the treasure and valuables had been removed
into the interior. This career of victory was suddenly damped by the
report of the approach of a large body of troops from the interior, and
although none of these were seen, this ideal reinforcement induced the
besiegers to withdraw. The embarkation took place at daylight in the
morning; and while the fleet remained at anchor during the whole of the
day, parties were still seen assembling on the shore, displaying their
colors, brandishing their spears, and firing muskets from all points; so
that the conquest was scarcely as complete as could be wished, since no
formal act of submission had yet been shown. The expedition now sailed
to Linga, a small port of the Joassamees, and burnt it to the ground.
The force had now become separated, the greater portion of the troops
being sent to Muscat for supplies, or being deemed unnecessary, and some
of the vessels sent on separate services of blockading passages, &c. The
remaining portion of the blockading squadron consisting of La Chiffone,
frigate, and four of the cruisers, the Mornington, Ternate, Nautilus,
and Fury, and two transports, with five hundred troops from Linga, then
proceeded to Luft, another port of the Joassamees. As the channel here
was narrow and difficult of approach, the ships were warped into their
stations of anchorage, and a summons sent on shore, as the people had
not here abandoned their town, but were found at their posts of defence,
in a large and strong castle with many batteries, redoubts, &c. The
summons being treated with disdain, the troops were landed with Col.
Smith at their head; and while forming on the beach a slight skirmish
took place with such of the inhabitants of the town, as fled for shelter
to the castle. The troops then advanced towards the fortress, which is
described to have had walls fourteen feet thick, pierced with loop
holes, and only one entrance through a small gate, well cased with iron
bars and bolts, in the strongest manner. With a howitzer taken for the
occasion, it was intended to have blown this gate open, and to have
taken the place by storm; but on reaching it while the ranks opened, and
the men sought to surround the castle to seek for some other entrance at
the same time, they were picked off so rapidly and unexpectedly from the
loop holes above, that a general flight took place, the howitzer was
abandoned, even before it had been fired, and both the officers and the
troops sought shelter by lying down behind the ridges of sand and little
hillocks immediately underneath the castle walls. An Irish officer,
jumping up from his hiding place, and calling on some of his comrades to
follow him in an attempt to rescue the howitzer, was killed in the
enterprise. Such others as even raised their heads to look around them,
were picked off by the musketry from above; and the whole of the troops
lay therefore hidden in this way, until the darkness of the night
favored their escape to the beach, where they embarked after sunset, the
enemy having made no sally on them from the fort. A second summons was
sent to the chief in the castle, threatening to bombard the town from a
nearer anchorage if he did not submit, and no quarter afterwards shown.
With the dawn of morning, all eyes were directed to the fortress, when,
to the surprise of the whole squadron, a man was seen waving the British
Union flag on the summit of its walls. It was lieutenant Hall, who
commanded the Fury which was one of the vessels nearest the shore.
During the night he had gone on shore alone, taking an union-jack in his
hand, and advanced singly to the castle gate. The fortress had already
been abandoned by the greater number of the inhabitants, but some few
still remained there. These fled at the approach of an individual
supposing him to be the herald of those who were to follow. Be this as
it may, the castle was entirely abandoned, and the British flag waived
on its walls by this daring officer, to the surprise and admiration of
all the fleet. The town and fortifications were then taken possession
of. After sweeping round the bottom of the gulf, the expedition returned
to Muscat.

On the sailing of the fleet from hence, the forces were augmented by a
body of troops belonging to the Imaun of Muscat, destined to assist in
the recovery of a place called Shenaz, on the coast, taken by the
Joassamees. On their arrival at this place, a summons was sent,
commanding the fort to surrender, which being refused, a bombardment was
opened from the ships and boats, but without producing much effect. On
the following morning, the whole of the troops were landed, and a
regular encampment formed on the shore, with sand batteries, and other
necessary works for a siege. After several days bombardment, in which
about four thousand shot and shells were discharged against the
fortress, to which the people had fled for refuge after burning down the
town, a breach was reported to be practicable, and the castle was
accordingly stormed. The resistance still made was desperate; the Arabs
fighting as long as they could wield the sword, and even thrusting
their spears up through the fragments of towers, in whose ruins they
remained irrevocably buried. The loss in killed and wounded was upwards
of a thousand men. Notwithstanding that the object of this expedition
might be said to be incomplete, inasmuch as nothing less than a _total_
extirpation of their race could secure the tranquility of these seas,
yet the effect produced by this expedition was such, as to make them
reverence or dread the British flag for several years afterwards.

[Illustration: _The daring Intrepidity of Lieut. Hall._]

At length in 1815, their boats began to infest the entrance to the Red
Sea; and in 1816, their numbers had so increased on that coast, that a
squadron of them commanded by a chief called Ameer Ibrahim, captured
within sight of Mocha, four vessels bound from Surat to that port,
richly laden and navigating under the British flag, and the crews were
massacred.

A squadron consisting of His Majesty's ship Challenger, Captain Brydges,
and the East India Company's cruisers, Mercury, Ariel, and Vestal, were
despatched to the chief port of the Joassamees, Ras-el-Khyma. Mr.
Buckingham the Great Oriental traveller, accompanied the expedition from
Bushire. Upon their arrival at Ras-el-Khyma, a demand was made for the
restoration of the four Surat vessels and their cargoes; or in lieu
thereof twelve lacks of rupees. Also that the commander of the piratical
squadron, Ameer Ibrahim, should be delivered up for punishment. The
demand was made by letter, and answer being received, Captain Brydges
determined to go on shore and have an interview with the Pirate
Chieftain. Mr. Buckingham (says,) He requested me to accompany him on
shore as an interpreter. I readily assented. We quitted the ship
together about 9 o'clock, and pulled straight to the shore, sounding all
the way as we went, and gradually shoaling our water from six to two
fathoms, within a quarter of a mile of the beach, where four large dows
lay at anchor, ranged in a line, with their heads seaward, each of them
mounting several pieces of cannon, and being full of men. On landing on
the beach, we found its whole length guarded by a line of armed men,
some bearing muskets, but the greater part armed with swords, shields,
and spears; most of them were negroes, whom the Joassamees spare in
their wars, looking on them rather as property and merchandise, than in
the light of enemies. We were permitted to pass this line, and upon our
communicating our wish to see the chief, we were conducted to the gate
of the principal building, nearly in the centre of the town, and were
met by the Pirate Chieftain attended by fifty armed men. I offered him
the Mahometan salutation of peace, which he returned without hesitation.

The chief, Hassan ben Rahma, whom we had seen, was a small man,
apparently about forty years of age, with an expression of cunning in
his looks, and something particularly sarcastic in his smile. He was
dressed in the usual Arab garments, with a cashmeer shawl, turban, and a
scarlet benish, of the Persian form, to distinguish him from his
followers. There were habited in the plainest garments. One of his eyes
had been wounded, but his other features were good, his teeth
beautifully white and regular, and his complexion very dark.

The town of Ras-el-Khyma stands on a narrow tongue of sandy land,
pointing to the northeastward, presenting its northwest edge to the open
sea, and its southeast one to a creek, which runs up within it to the
southwestward, and affords a safe harbor for boats. There appeared to be
no continued wall of defence around it, though round towers and portions
of walls were seen in several parts, probably once connected in line,
but not yet repaired since their destruction. The strongest points of
defence appear to be in a fortress at the northeast angle, and a double
round tower, near the centre of the town; in each of which, guns are
mounted; but all the other towers appear to afford only shelter for
musketeers. The rest of the town is composed of ordinary buildings of
unhewn stone, and huts of rushes and long grass, with narrow avenues
winding between them. The present number of inhabitants may be computed
at ten thousand at least. They are thought to have at present (1816),
sixty large boats out from their own port, manned with crews of from
eighty, to three hundred men each, and forty other boats that belong to
other ports. Their force concentrated, would probably amount to at
least one hundred boats and eight thousand fighting men. After several
fruitless negociations, the signal was now made to weigh, and stand
closer in towards the town. It was then followed by the signal to engage
the enemy. The squadron bore down nearly in line, under easy sail, and
with the wind right aft, or on shore; the Mercury being on the starboard
bow, the Challenger next in order, in the centre, the Vestal following
in the same line, and the Ariel completing the division.

A large fleet of small boats were seen standing in from Cape Mussundum,
at the same time; but these escaped by keeping closer along shore, and
at length passing over the bar and getting into the back water behind
the town. The squadron continued to stand on in a direct line towards
the four anchored dows, gradually shoaling from the depth of our
anchorage to two and a half fathoms, where stream anchors were dropped
under foot, with springs on the cables, so that each vessel lay with her
broadside to the shore. A fire was now opened by the whole squadron,
directed to the four dows. These boats were full of men, brandishing
their weapons in the air, their whole number exceeding, probably, six
hundred. Some of the shot from the few long guns of the squadron reached
the shore, and were buried in the sand; others fell across the bows and
near the hulls of the dows to which they were directed; but the
cannonades all fell short, as we were then fully a mile from the beach.

The Arab colors were displayed on all the forts; crowds of armed men
were assembled on the beach, bearing large banners on poles, and dancing
around them with their arms, as if rallying around a sacred standard, so
that no sign of submission or conquest was witnessed throughout. The
Ariel continued to discharge about fifty shot after all the others had
desisted, but with as little avail as before, and thus ended this wordy
negociation, and the bloodless battle to which it eventually led.

In 1818, these pirates grew so daring that they made an irruption into
the Indian Ocean, and plundered vessels and towns on the islands and
coasts. A fleet was sent against them, and intercepted them off Ashlola
Island, proceeding to the westward in three divisions; and drove them
back into the gulf. The Eden and Psyche fell in with two trankies, and
these were so closely pursued that they were obliged to drop a small
captured boat they had in tow. The Thetes one day kept in close chase of
seventeen vessels, but they were enabled to get away owing to their
superior sailing. The cruisers met with the Joassamees seventeen times
and were constantly employed in hunting them from place to place.

At length, in 1819, they became such a scourge to commerce that a
formidable expedition under the command of Major General Sir W. Grant
Keir, sailed against them. It arrived before the chief town in December,
and commenced operations. In his despatches Gen. Keir says--

I have the satisfaction to report the town of Ras-el Khyma, after a
resistance of six days, was taken possession of this morning by the
force under my command.

On the 18th, after completing my arrangements at Muscat, the Liverpool
sailed for the rendezvous at Kishme; on the 21st, we fell in with the
fleet of the Persian Gulf and anchored off the island of Larrack on the
24th November.

As it appeared probable that a considerable period would elapse before
the junction of the ships which were detained at Bombay, I conceived it
would prove highly advantageous to avail myself of all the information
that could be procured respecting the strength and resources of the
pirates we had to deal with.

No time was lost in making the necessary preparations for landing, which
was effected the following morning without opposition, at a spot which
had been previously selected for that purpose, about two miles to the
westward of the town. The troops were formed across the isthmus
connecting the peninsula on which the town is situated with the
neighboring country, and the whole of the day was occupied in getting
the tents on shore, to shelter the men from rain, landing engineers,
tools, sand bags, &c., and making arrangements preparatory to commencing
our approaches the next day. On the morning of the 4th, our light troops
were ordered in advance, supported by the pickets, to dislodge the
enemy from a bank within nine hundred yards of the outer fort, which was
expected to afford good cover for the men. The whole of the light
companies of the force under Capt. Backhouse, moved forward, and drove
the Arabs with great gallantry from a date grove, and over the bank
close under the walls of the fort, followed by the pickets under Major
Molesworth, who took post at the sand banks, whilst the European light
troops were skirmishing in front. The enemy kept up a sharp fire of
musketry and cannon; during these movements, Major Molesworth, a gallant
officer was here killed. The troops kept their position during the day,
and in the night effected a lodgment within three hundred yards of the
southernmost tower, and erected a battery of four guns, together with a
mortar battery.

The weather having become rather unfavorable for the disembarkation of
the stores required for the siege, but this important object being
effected on the morning of the 6th, we were enabled to open three
eighteen pounders on the fort, a couple of howitzers, and six pounders
were also placed in the battery on the right, which played on the
defences of the towers and nearly silenced the enemy's fire, who, during
the whole of our progress exhibited a considerable degree of resolution
in withstanding, and ingenuity in counteracting our attacks, sallied out
at 8 o'clock this evening along the whole front of our entrenchments,
crept close up to the mortar battery without being perceived, and
entered it over the parapet, after spearing the advance sentries. The
party which occupied it were obliged to retire, but being immediately
reinforced charged the assailants, who were driven out of the battery
with great loss. The enemy repeated his attacks towards morning but was
vigorously repulsed. During the seventh every exertion was made to land
and bring up the remaining guns and mortars, which was accomplished
during the night. They were immediately placed in the battery, together
with two twenty-four pounders which were landed from the Liverpool, and
in the morning the whole of the ordnance opened on the fort and fired
with scarcely any intermission till sunset, when the breach on the
curtain was reported nearly practicable and the towers almost untenable.
Immediate arrangements were made for the assault, and the troops ordered
to move down to the entrenchments by daylight the next morning. The
party moved forward about 8 o'clock, and entered the fort through the
breaches without firing a shot, and it soon appeared the enemy had
evacuated the place. The town was taken possession of and found almost
entirely deserted, only eighteen or twenty men, and a few women
remaining in their houses.

The expedition next proceeded against Rumps, a piratical town, eight
miles north of Ras-el-Khyma, but the inhabitants abandoned the town and
took refuge in the hill fort of Zyah, which is situated at the head of a
navigable creek nearly two miles from the sea coast. This place was the
residence of Hussein Bin Alley, a sheikh of considerable importance
among the Joassamee tribes, and a person who from his talents and
lawless habits, as well as from the strength and advantageous situation
of the fort, was likely to attempt the revival of the piratical system
upon the first occasion. It became a desirable object to reduce the
power of this chieftain.

On the 18th December, the troops embarked at Ras-el-Khyma, at day break
in the boats of the fleet under command of Major Warren, with the 65th
regiment and the flank companies of the first and second regiment, and
at noon arrived within four miles of their destination. This operation
was attended with considerable difficulty and risk, owing to the heavy
surf that beat on the shore; and which was the occasion of some loss of
ammunition, and of a few boats being upset and stove in.

[Illustration: _The Sheikh of Rumps._]

At half past three P.M., having refreshed the men, (says Major Warren)
we commenced our march, and fording the creek or back water, took up our
position at sunset, to the northeastward of the fort, the enemy firing
at us as we passed, notwithstanding that our messenger, whom we had
previously sent in to summon the Sheikh, was still in the place; and I
lost no time in pushing our riflemen and pickets as far forward as I
could without exposing them too much to the firing of the enemy, whom I
found strongly posted under secure cover in the date tree groves in
front of the town. Captain Cocke, with the light company of his
battalion, was at the same time sent to the westward, to cut off the
retreat of the enemy on that side.

At day break the next morning, finding it necessary to drive the enemy
still further in, to get a nearer view of his defences, I moved forward
the rifle company of the 65th regiment, and after a considerable
opposition from the enemy, I succeeded in forcing him to retire some
distance; but not without disputing every inch of ground, which was well
calculated for resistance, being intersected at every few yards, by
banks and water courses raised for the purpose of irrigation, and
covered with date trees. The next morning the riflemen, supported by the
pickets, were again called into play, and soon established their
position within three and four hundred yards of the town, which with the
base of the hill, was so completely surrounded, as to render the escape
of any of the garrison now almost impossible. This advantage was gained
by a severe loss. Two twenty-four pounders and the two twelves, the
landing of which had been retarded by the difficulty of communication
with the fleet from which we derived all our supplies, having been now
brought on shore, we broke ground in the evening, and notwithstanding
the rocky soil, had them to play next morning at daylight.

Aware, however, that the families of the enemy were still in the town,
and humanity dictating that some effort should be made to save the
innocent from the fate that awaited the guilty; an opportunity was
afforded for that purpose by an offer to the garrison of security to
their women and children, should they be sent out within the hour; but
the infatuated chief, either from an idea that his fort on the hill was
not to be reached by our shot, or with the vain hope to gain time by
procrastination, returning no answer to our communication, while he
detained our messenger; we opened our fire at half past eight in the
morning, and such was the precision of the practice, that in two hours
we perceived the breach would soon be practicable. I was in the act of
ordering the assault, when a white flag was displayed; and the enemy,
after some little delay in assembling from the different quarters of the
place, marched out without their arms, with Hussein Bin Alley at their
head, to the number of three hundred and ninety-eight; and at half past
one P.M., the British flags were hoisted on the hill fort and at the
Sheikh's house. The women and children to the number of four hundred,
were at the same time collected together in a place of security, and
sent on board the fleet, together with the men. The service has been
short but arduous; the enemy defended themselves with great obstinacy
and ability worthy of a better cause.

From two prisoners retaken from the Joassamees, they learnt that the
plunder is made a general stock, and distributed by the chief, but in
what proportions the deponents cannot say; water is generally very
scarce. There is a quantity of fish caught on the bank, upon which and
dates they live. There were a few horses, camels, cows, sheep, and
goats; the greatest part of which they took with them; they were in
general lean, as the sandy plain produces little or no vegetation,
except a few dates and cocoa-nut trees. The pirates who abandoned
Ras-el-Khyma, encamped about three miles in the interior, ready to
retreat into the desert at a moment's warning. The Sheikh of Rumps is an
old man, but looks intelligent, and is said to be the man who advises
upon all occasions the movements of the different tribes of pirates on
the coast, and when he was told that it was the wish of the Company to
put a stop to their piracy, and make an honest people of them by
encouraging them to trade, seemed to regret much that those intentions
were not made known, as they would have been most readily embraced.
Rumps is the key to Ras-el-Khyma, and by its strength is defended from a
strong banditti infesting the mountains, as also the Bedouin Arabs who
are their enemies. A British garrison of twelve hundred men was
stationed at Ras-el-Khyma, and a guard-ship. The other places sent in
tokens of submission, as driven out of their fortresses on the margin of
the sea, they had to contend within with the interior hostile tribes.

[Illustration: _The Pirate Stronghold._]




THE BARBAROUS CONDUCT AND ROMANTIC DEATH OF THE
JOASSAMEE CHIEF, RAHMAH-BEN-JABIR.


The town of Bushire, on the Persian Gulf is seated in a low peninsula of
sand, extending out of the general line of the coast, so as to form a
bay on both sides. One of these bays was in 1816, occupied by the fleet
of a certain Arab, named Rahmah-ben-Jabir, who has been for more than
twenty years the terror of the gulf, and who was the most successful and
the most generally tolerated pirate, perhaps, that ever infested any
sea. This man by birth was a native of Grain, on the opposite coast, and
nephew of the governor of that place. His fellow citizens had all the
honesty, however, to declare him an outlaw, from abhorrence of his
profession; but he found that aid and protection at Bushire, which his
own townsmen denied him. With five or six vessels, most of which were
very large, and manned with crews of from two to three hundred each, he
sallied forth, and captured whatever he thought himself strong enough to
carry off as a prize. His followers, to the number of two thousand, were
maintained by the plunder of his prizes; and as the most of these were
his own bought African slaves, and the remainder equally subject to his
authority, he was sometimes as prodigal of their lives in a fit of anger
as he was of his enemies, whom he was not content to slay in battle
only, but basely murdered in cold blood, after they had submitted. An
instance is related of his having put a great number of his own crew,
who used mutinous expressions, into a tank on board, in which they
usually kept their water, and this being shut close at the top, the poor
wretches were all suffocated, and afterwards thrown overboard. This
butcher chief, like the celebrated Djezzar of Acre, affecting great
simplicity of dress, manners, and living; and whenever he went out,
could not be distinguished by a stranger from the crowd of his
attendants. He carried this simplicity to a degree of filthiness, which
was disgusting, as his usual dress was a shirt, which was never taken
off to be washed, from the time it was first put on till worn out; no
drawers or coverings for the legs of any kind, and a large black goat's
hair cloak, wrapped over all with a greasy and dirty handkerchief,
called the keffeea, thrown loosely over his head. Infamous as was this
man's life and character, he was not only cherished and courted by the
people of Bushire, who dreaded him, but was courteously received and
respectfully entertained whenever he visited the British Factory. On one
occasion (says Mr. Buckingham), at which I was present, he was sent for
to give some medical gentlemen of the navy and company's cruisers an
opportunity of inspecting his arm, which had been severely wounded. The
wound was at first made by grape-shot and splinters, and the arm was one
mass of blood about the part for several days, while the man himself was
with difficulty known to be alive. He gradually recovered, however,
without surgical aid, and the bone of the arm between the shoulder and
elbow being completely shivered to pieces, the fragments progressively
worked out, and the singular appearance was left of the fore arm and
elbow connected to the shoulder by flesh and skin, and tendons, without
the least vestige of bone. This man when invited to the factory for the
purpose of making an exhibition of his arm, was himself admitted to sit
at the table and take some tea, as it was breakfast time, and some of
his followers took chairs around him. They were all as disgustingly
filthy in appearance as could well be imagined; and some of them did not
scruple to hunt for vermin on their skins, of which there was an
abundance, and throw them on the floor. Rahmah-ben-Jabir's figure
presented a meagre trunk, with four lank members, all of them cut and
hacked, and pierced with wounds of sabres, spears and bullets, in every
part, to the number, perhaps of more than twenty different wounds. He
had, besides, a face naturally ferocious and ugly, and now rendered
still more so by several scars there, and by the loss of one eye. When
asked by one of the English gentlemen present, with a tone of
encouragement and familiarity, whether he could not still dispatch an
enemy with his boneless arm, he drew a crooked dagger, or yambeah, from
the girdle round his shirt, and placing his left hand, which was sound,
to support the elbow of the right, which was the one that was wounded,
he grasped the dagger firmly with his clenched fist, and drew it back
ward and forward, twirling it at the same time, and saying that he
desired nothing better than to have the cutting of as many throats as he
could effectually open with his lame hand. Instead of being shocked at
the uttering of such a brutal wish, and such a savage triumph at still
possessing the power to murder unoffending victims, I knew not how to
describe my feelings of shame and sorrow when a loud roar of laughter
burst from the whole assembly, when I ventured to express my dissent
from the general feeling of admiration for such a man.

[Illustration: _Rahmah-ben-Jabir, a Joassamee Chief._]

This barbarous pirate in the year 1827, at last experienced a fate
characteristic of the whole course of his life. His violent aggressions
having united the Arabs of Bahrene and Ratiffe against him they
blockaded his port of Daman from which Rahmah-ben-Jabir, having left a
garrison in the fort under his son, had sailed in a well appointed
bungalow, for the purpose of endeavoring to raise a confederacy of his
friends in his support. Having failed in this object he returned to
Daman, and in spite of the boats blockading the port, succeeded in
visiting his garrison, and immediately re-embarked, taking with him his
youngest son. On arriving on board his bungalow, he was received by his
followers with a salute, which decisive indication of his presence
immediately attracted the attention of his opponents, one of whose
boats, commanded by the nephew of the Sheikh of Bahrene, proceeded to
attack him. A desperate struggle ensued, and the Sheikh finding after
some time that he had lost nearly the whole of his crew by the firing of
Rahmah's boat, retired for reinforcements. These being obtained, he
immediately returned singly to the contest. The fight was renewed with
redoubled fury; when at last, Rahmah, being informed (for he had been
long blind) that his men were falling fast around him, mustered the
remainder of the crew, and issued orders to close and grapple with his
opponent. When this was effected, and after embracing his son, he was
led with a lighted torch to the magazine, which instantly exploded,
blowing his own boat to atoms and setting fire to the Sheikh's, which
immediately afterwards shared the same fate. Sheikh Ahmed and few of his
followers escaped to the other boats; but only one of Rahmah's brave
crew was saved; and it is supposed that upwards of three hundred men
were killed in this heroic contest.

[Illustration]




THE LIFE OF LAFITTE, THE FAMOUS PIRATE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO.


_With a History of the Pirates of Barrataria--and an account of their
volunteering for the defence of New Orleans; and their daring
intrepidity under General Jackson, during the battle of the 8th of
January, 1815. For which important service they were pardoned by
President Madison._

Jean Lafitte, was born at St. Maloes in France, in 1781, and went to sea
at the age of thirteen; after several voyages in Europe, and to the
coast of Africa, he was appointed mate of a French East Indiaman, bound
to Madras. On the outward passage they encountered a heavy gale off the
Cape of Good Hope, which sprung the mainmast and otherwise injured the
ship, which determined the captain to bear up for the Mauritius, where
he arrived in safety; a quarrel having taken place on the passage out
between Lafitte and the captain, he abandoned the ship and refused to
continue the voyage. Several privateers were at this time fitting out at
this island, and Lafitte was appointed captain of one of these vessels;
after a cruise during which he robbed the vessels of other nations,
besides those of England, and thus committing piracy, he stopped at the
Seychelles, and took in a load of slaves for the Mauritius; but being
chased by an English frigate as far north as the equator, he found
himself in a very awkward condition; not having provisions enough on
board his ship to carry him back to the French Colony. He therefore
conceived the bold project of proceeding to the Bay of Bengal, in order
to get provisions from on board some English ships. In his ship of two
hundred tons, with only two guns and twenty-six men, he attacked and
took an English armed schooner with a numerous crew. After putting
nineteen of his own crew on board the schooner, he took the command of
her and proceeded to cruise upon the coast of Bengal. He there fell in
with the Pagoda, a vessel belonging to the English East India Company,
armed with twenty-six twelve pounders and manned with one hundred and
fifty men. Expecting that the enemy would take him for a pilot of the
Ganges, he manoeuvred accordingly. The Pagoda manifested no suspicions,
whereupon he suddenly darted with his brave followers upon her decks,
overturned all who opposed them, and speedily took the ship. After a
very successful cruise he arrived safe at the Mauritius, and took the
command of La Confiance of twenty-six guns and two hundred and fifty
men, and sailed for the coast of British India. Off the Sand Heads in
October, 1807, Lafitte fell in with the Queen East Indiaman, with a crew
of near four hundred men, and carrying forty guns; he conceived the bold
project of getting possession of her. Never was there beheld a more
unequal conflict; even the height of the vessel compared to the feeble
privateer augmented the chances against Lafitte; but the difficulty and
danger far from discouraging this intrepid sailor, acted as an
additional spur to his brilliant valor. After electrifying his crew with
a few words of hope and ardor, he manoeuvred and ran on board of the
enemy. In this position he received a broadside when close too; but he
expected this, and made his men lay flat upon the deck. After the first
fire they all rose, and from the yards and tops, threw bombs and
grenades into the forecastle of the Indiaman. This sudden and unforeseen
attack caused a great havoc. In an instant, death and terror made them
abandon a part of the vessel near the mizen-mast. Lafitte, who
observed every thing, seized the decisive moment, beat to arms, and
forty of his crew prepared to board, with pistols in their hands and
daggers held between their teeth. As soon as they got on deck, they
rushed upon the affrighted crowd, who retreated to the steerage, and
endeavored to defend themselves there. Lafitte thereupon ordered a
second division to board, which he headed himself; the captain of the
Indiaman was killed, and all were swept away in a moment. Lafitte caused
a gun to be loaded with grape, which he pointed towards the place where
the crowd was assembled, threatening to exterminate them. The English
deeming resistance fruitless, surrendered, and Lafitte hastened to put a
stop to the slaughter. This exploit, hitherto unparalleled, resounded
through India, and the name of Lafitte became the terror of English
commerce in these latitudes.

[Illustration: _Lafitte boarding the Queen East Indiaman._]

As British vessels now traversed the Indian Ocean under strong convoys,
game became scarce, and Lafitte determined to visit France; and after
doubling the Cape of Good Hope, he coasted up to the Gulf of Guinea, and
in the Bight of Benin, took two valuable prizes loaded with gold dust,
ivory, and Palm Oil; with this booty he reached St. Maloes in safety.
After a short stay at his native place he fitted out a brigantine,
mounting twenty guns and one hundred and fifty men, and sailed for
Gaudaloupe; amongst the West India Islands, he made several valuable
prizes; but during his absence on a cruise the island having been taken
by the British, he proceeded to Carthagena, and from thence to
Barrataria. After this period, the conduct of Lafitte at Barrataria does
not appear to be characterized by the audacity and boldness of his
former career; but he had amassed immense sums of booty, and as he was
obliged to have dealings with the merchants of the United States, and
the West Indies, who frequently owed him large sums, and the cautious
dealings necessary to found and conduct a colony of Pirates and
Smugglers in the very teeth of a civilized nation, obliged Lafitte to
cloak as much as possible his real character.

[Illustration: _Lafitte and his crew clearing the decks of the
Indiaman._]

As we have said before, at the period of the taking of Gaudaloupe by the
British, most of the privateers commissioned by the government of that
island, and which were then on a cruise, not being able to return to any
of the West India Islands, made for Barrataria, there to take in a
supply of water and provisions, recruit the health of their crews, and
dispose of their prizes, which could not be admitted into any of the
ports of the United States, we being at that time in peace with Great
Britain. Most of the commissions granted to privateers by the French
government at Gaudaloupe, having expired sometime after the declaration
of the independence of Carthagena, many of the privateers repaired to
that port, for the purpose of obtaining from the new government
commissions for cruising against Spanish vessels. Having duly obtained
their commissions, they in a manner blockaded for a long time all the
ports belonging to the royalists, and made numerous captives, which they
carried into Barrataria. Under this denomination is comprised part of
the coast of Louisiana to the west of the mouths of the Mississippi,
comprehended between Bastien bay on the east, and the mouths of the
river or bayou la Fourche on the west. Not far from the sea are lakes
called the great and little lakes of Barrataria, communicating with one
another by several large bayous with a great number of branches. There
is also the island of Barrataria, at the extremity of which is a place
called the Temple, which denomination it owes to several mounds of
shells thrown up there by the Indians. The name of Barrataria is also
given to a large basin which extends the whole length of the cypress
swamps, from the Gulf of Mexico to three miles above New Orleans. These
waters disembogue into the gulf by two entrances of the bayou
Barrataria, between which lies an island called Grand Terre, six miles
in length, and from two to three miles in breadth, running parallel
with the coast. In the western entrance is the great pass of Barrataria,
which has from nine to ten feet of water. Within this pass about two
leagues from the open sea, lies the only secure harbor on the coast, and
accordingly this was the harbor frequented by the _Pirates_, so well
known by the name of Barratarians.

At Grand Jerre, the privateers publicly made sale by auction, of the
cargoes of their prizes. From all parts of Lower Louisiana, people
resorted to Barrataria, without being at all solicitous to conceal the
object of their journey. The most respectable inhabitants of the state,
especially those living in the country, were in the habit of purchasing
smuggled goods coming from Barrataria.

The government of the United States sent an expedition under Commodore
Patterson, to disperse the settlement of marauders at Barrataria; the
following is an extract of his letter to the secretary of war.

Sir--I have the honor to inform you that I departed from this city on
the 11th June, accompanied by Col. Ross, with a detachment of seventy of
the 44th regiment of infantry. On the 12th, reached the schooner
Carolina, of Plaquemine, and formed a junction with the gun vessels at
the Balize on the 13th, sailed from the southwest pass on the evening of
the 15th, and at half past 8 o'clock, A.M. on the 16th, made the Island
of Barrataria, and discovered a number of vessels in the harbor, some of
which shewed Carthagenian colors. At 2 o'clock, perceived the pirates
forming their vessels, ten in number, including prizes, into a line of
battle near the entrance of the harbor, and making every preparation to
offer me battle. At 10 o'clock, wind light and variable, formed the
order of battle with six gun boats and the Sea Horse tender, mounting
one six pounder and fifteen men, and a launch mounting one twelve pound
carronade; the schooner Carolina, drawing too much water to cross the
bar. At half past 10 o'clock, perceived several smokes along the coasts
as signals, and at the same time a white flag hoisted on board a
schooner at the fort, an American flag at the mainmast head and a
Carthagenian flag (under which the pirates cruise) at her topping lift;
replied with a white flag at my main; at 11 o'clock, discovered that the
pirates had fired two of their best schooners; hauled down my white flag
and made the _signal for battle_; hoisting with a large white flag
bearing the words "Pardon for Deserters"; having heard there was a
number on shore from the army and navy. At a quarter past 11 o'clock,
two gun boats grounded and were passed agreeably to my previous orders,
by the other four which entered the harbor, manned by my barge and the
boats belonging to the grounded vessels, and proceeded in to my great
disappointment. I perceived that the pirates abandoned their vessels,
and were flying in all directions. I immediately sent the launch and two
barges with small boats in pursuit of them. At meridian, took possession
of all their vessels in the harbor consisting of six schooners and one
felucca, cruisers, and prizes of the pirates, one brig, a prize, and two
armed schooners under the Carthagenian flag, both in the line of battle,
with the armed vessels of the pirates, and apparently with an intention
to aid them in any resistance they might make against me, as their crews
were at quarters, tompions out of their guns, and matches lighted. Col.
Ross at the same time landed, and with his command took possession of
their establishment on shore, consisting of about forty houses of
different sizes, badly constructed, and thatched with palmetto leaves.

When I perceived the enemy forming their vessels into a line of battle I
felt confident from their number and very advantageous position, and
their number of men, that they would have fought me; their not doing so
I regret; for had they, I should have been enabled more effectually to
destroy or make prisoners of them and their leaders; but it is a
subject of great satisfaction to me, to have effected the object of my
enterprise, without the loss of a man.

The enemy had mounted on their vessels twenty pieces of cannon of
different calibre; and as I have since learnt, from eight hundred, to
one thousand men of all nations and colors.

Early in the morning of the 20th, the Carolina at anchor, about five
miles distant, made the signal of a "strange sail in sight to eastward";
immediately after she weighed anchor, and gave chase the strange sail,
standing for Grand Terre, with all sail; at half past 8 o'clock, the
chase hauled her wind off shore to escape; sent acting Lieut. Spedding
with four boats manned and armed to prevent her passing the harbor; at 9
o'clock A.M., the chase fired upon the Carolina, which was returned;
each vessel continued firing during the chase, when their long guns
could reach. At 10 o'clock, the chase grounded outside of the bar, at
which time the Carolina was from the shoalness of the water obliged to
haul her wind off shore and give up the chase; opened a fire upon the
chase across the island from the gun vessels. At half past 10 o'clock,
she hauled down her colors and was taken possession of. She proved to be
the armed schooner Gen. Boliver; by grounding she broke both her rudder
pintles and made water; took from her her armament, consisting of one
long brass eighteen pounder, one long brass six pounder, two twelve
pounders, small arms, &c., and twenty-one packages of dry goods. On the
afternoon of the 23d, got underway with the whole squadron, in all
seventeen vessels, but during the night one escaped, and the next day
arrived at New Orleans with my whole squadron.

At different times the English had sought to attack the pirates at
Barrataria, in hopes of taking their prizes, and even their armed
vessels. Of these attempts of the British, suffice it to instance that
of June 23d, 1813, when two privateers being at anchor off Cat Island, a
British sloop of war anchored at the entrance of the pass, and sent her
boats to endeavor to take the privateers; but they were repulsed with
considerable loss.

Such was the state of affairs, when on the 2d Sept., 1814, there
appeared an armed brig on the coast opposite the pass. She fired a gun
at a vessel about to enter, and forced her to run aground; she then
tacked and shortly after came to an anchor at the entrance of the pass.
It was not easy to understand the intentions of this vessel, who, having
commenced with hostilities on her first appearance now seemed to
announce an amicable disposition. Mr. Lafitte then went off in a boat to
examine her, venturing so far that he could not escape from the pinnace
sent from the brig, and making towards the shore, bearing British colors
and a flag of truce. In this pinnace were two naval officers. One was
Capt. Lockyer, commander of the brig. The first question they asked was,
where was Mr. Lafitte? he not choosing to make himself known to them,
replied that the person they inquired for was on shore. They then
delivered to him a packet directed to Mr. Lafitte, Barrataria,
requesting him to take particular care of it, and to deliver it into Mr.
Lafitte's hands. He prevailed on them to make for the shore, and as soon
as they got near enough to be in his power, he made himself known,
recommending to them at the same time to conceal the business on which
they had come. Upwards of two hundred persons lined the shore, and it
was a general cry amongst the crews of the privateers at Grand Terre,
that those British officers should be made prisoners and sent to New
Orleans as spies. It was with much difficulty that Lafitte dissuaded the
multitude from this intent, and led the officers in safety to his
dwelling. He thought very prudently that the papers contained in the
packet might be of importance towards the safety of the country and that
the officers if well watched could obtain no intelligence that might
turn to the detriment of Louisiana. He now examined the contents of the
packet, in which he found a proclamation addressed by Col. Edward
Nichalls, in the service of his Brittanic Majesty, and commander of the
land forces on the coast of Florida, to the inhabitants of Louisiana. A
letter from the same to Mr. Lafitte, the commander of Barrataria; an
official letter from the honorable W.H. Percy, captain of the sloop of
war Hermes, directed to Lafitte. When he had perused these letters,
Capt. Lockyer enlarged on the subject of them and proposed to him to
enter into the service of his Brittanic Majesty with the rank of post
captain and to receive the command of a 44 gun frigate. Also all those
under his command, or over whom he had sufficient influence. He was also
offered thirty thousand dollars, payable at Pensacola, and urged him not
to let slip this opportunity of acquiring fortune and consideration. On
Lafitte's requiring a few days to reflect upon these proposals, Capt.
Lockyer observed to him that no reflection could be necessary,
respecting proposals that obviously precluded hesitation, as he was a
Frenchman and proscribed by the American government. But to all his
splendid promises and daring insinuations, Lafitte replied that in a few
days he would give a final answer; his object in this procrastination
being to gain time to inform the officers of the state government of
this nefarious project. Having occasion to go to some distance for a
short time, the persons who had proposed to send the British officers
prisoners to New Orleans, went and seized them in his absence, and
confined both them and the crew of the pinnace, in a secure place,
leaving a guard at the door. The British officers sent for Lafitte; but
he, fearing an insurrection of the crews of the privateers, thought it
advisable not to see them until he had first persuaded their captains
and officers to desist from the measures on which they seemed bent. With
this view he represented to the latter that, besides the infamy that
would attach to them if they treated as prisoners people who had come
with a flag of truce, they would lose the opportunity of discovering the
projects of the British against Louisiana.

Early the next morning Lafitte caused them to be released from their
confinement and saw them safe on board their pinnace, apologizing the
detention. He now wrote to Capt. Lockyer the following letter.

To CAPTAIN LOCKYER.

_Barrataria, 4th Sept_. 1814.

Sir--The confusion which prevailed in our camp yesterday and this
morning, and of which you have a complete knowledge, has prevented me
from answering in a precise manner to the object of your mission; nor
even at this moment can I give you all the satisfaction that you desire;
however, if you could grant me a fortnight, I would be entirely at your
disposal at the end of that time. This delay is indispensable to enable
me to put my affairs in order. You may communicate with me by sending a
boat to the eastern point of the pass, where I will be found. You have
inspired me with more confidence than the admiral, your superior
officer, could have done himself; with you alone, I wish to deal, and
from you also I will claim, in due time the reward of the services,
which I may render to you. Yours, &c.

J. LAFITTE.

His object in writing that letter was, by appearing disposed to accede
to their proposals, to give time to communicate the affair to the
officers of the state government, and to receive from them instructions
how to act, under circumstances so critical and important to the
country. He accordingly wrote on the 4th September to Mr. Blanque, one
of the representatives of the state, sending him all the papers
delivered to him by the British officers with a letter addressed to his
excellency, Gov. Claiborne of the state of Louisiana.

To Gov. CLAIBORNE.

_Barrataria, Sept_. 4_th_, 1814.

Sir--In the firm persuasion that the choice made of you to fill the
office of first magistrate of this state, was dictated by the esteem of
your fellow citizens, and was conferred on merit, I confidently address
you on an affair on which may depend the safety of this country. I offer
to you to restore to this state several citizens, who perhaps in your
eyes have lost that sacred title. I offer you them, however, such as you
could wish to find them, ready to exert their utmost efforts in defence
of the country. This point of Louisiana, which I occupy, is of great
importance in the present crisis. I tender my services to defend it; and
the only reward I ask is that a stop be put to the proscription against
me and my adherents, by an act of oblivion, for all that has been done
hitherto. I am the stray sheep wishing to return to the fold. If you are
thoroughly acquainted with the nature of my offences, I should appear to
you much less guilty, and still worthy to discharge the duties of a good
citizen. I have never sailed under any flag but that of the republic of
Carthagena, and my vessels are perfectly regular in that respect. If I
could have brought my lawful prizes into the ports of this state, I
should not have employed the illicit means that have caused me to be
proscribed. I decline saying more on the subject, until I have the honor
of your excellency's answer, which I am persuaded can be dictated only
by wisdom. Should your answer not be favorable to my ardent desires, I
declare to you that I will instantly leave the country, to avoid the
imputation of having cooperated towards an invasion on this point, which
cannot fail to take place, and to rest secure in the acquittal of my
conscience.

I have the honor to be

your excellency's, &c.

J. LAFITTE.

The contents of these letters do honor to Lafitte's judgment, and
evince his sincere attachment to the American cause. On the receipt of
this packet from Lafitte, Mr. Blanque immediately laid its contents
before the governor, who convened the committee of defence lately formed
of which he was president; and Mr. Rancher the bearer of Lafitte's
packet, was sent back with a verbal answer to desire Lafitte to take no
steps until it should be determined what was expedient to be done; the
message also contained an assurance that, in the meantime no steps
should be taken against him for his past offences against the laws of
the United States.

At the expiration of the time agreed on with Captain Lockyer, his ship
appeared again on the coast with two others, and continued standing off
and on before the pass for several days. But he pretended not to
perceive the return of the sloop of war, who tired of waiting to no
purpose put out to sea and disappeared.

Lafitte having received a guarantee from General Jackson for his safe
passage from Barrataria to New Orleans and back, he proceeded forthwith
to the city where he had an interview with Gov. Claiborne and the
General. After the usual formalities and courtesies had taken place
between these gentlemen, Lafitte addressed the Governor of Louisiana
nearly as follows. I have offered to defend for you that part of
Louisiana I now hold. But not as an outlaw, would I be its defender. In
that confidence, with which you have inspired me, I offer to restore to
the state many citizens, now under my command. As I have remarked
before, the point I occupy is of great importance in the present crisis.
I tender not only my own services to defend it, but those of all I
command; and the only reward I ask, is, that a stop be put to the
proscription against me and my adherents, by an act of oblivion for all
that has been done hitherto.

"My dear sir," said the Governor, who together with General Jackson, was
impressed with admiration of his sentiments, "your praiseworthy wishes
shall be laid before the council of the state, and I will confer with my
August friend here present, upon this important affair, and send you an
answer to-morrow." At Lafitte withdrew, the General said farewell; when
we meet again, I trust it will be in the ranks of the American army. The
result of the conference was the issuing the following order.

[Illustration: _Interview between Lafitte, General Jackson, and Governor
Claiborne._]

The Governor of Louisiana, informed that many individuals implicated in
the offences heretofore committed against the United States at
Barrataria, express a willingness at the present crisis to enroll
themselves and march against the enemy.

He does hereby invite them to join the standard of the United States and
is authorised to say, should their conduct in the field meet the
approbation of the Major General, that that officer will unite with the
governor in a request to the president of the United States, to extend
to each and every individual, so marching and acting, a free and full
pardon. These general orders were placed in the hands of Lafitte, who
circulated them among his dispersed followers, most of whom readily
embraced the conditions of pardon they held out. In a few days many
brave men and skillful artillerists, whose services contributed greatly
to the safety of the invaded state, flocked to the standard of the
United States, and by their conduct, received the highest approbation of
General Jackson.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

"Among the many evils produced by the wars, which, with little
intermission, have afflicted Europe, and extended their ravages into
other quarters of the globe, for a period exceeding twenty years, the
dispersion of a considerable portion of the inhabitants of different
countries, in sorrow and in want, has not been the least injurious to
human happiness, nor the least severe in the trial of human virtue.

"It had been long ascertained that many foreigners, flying from the
dangers of their own home, and that some citizens, forgetful of their
duty, had co-operated in forming an establishment on the island of
Barrataria, near the mouth of the river Mississippi, for the purpose of
a clandestine and lawless trade. The government of the United States
caused the establishment to be broken up and destroyed; and, having
obtained the means of designating the offenders of every description, it
only remained to answer the demands of justice by inflicting an
exemplary punishment.

"But it has since been represented that the offenders have manifested a
sincere penitence; that they have abandoned the prosecution of the worst
cause for the support of the best, and, particularly, that they have
exhibited, in the defence of New Orleans, unequivocal traits of courage
and fidelity. Offenders, who have refused to become the associates of
the enemy in the war, upon the most seducing terms of invitation; and
who have aided to repel his hostile invasion of the territory of the
United States, can no longer be considered as objects of punishment, but
as objects of a generous forgiveness.

"It has therefore been seen, with great satisfaction, that the General
Assembly of the State of Louisiana earnestly recommend those offenders
to the benefit of a full pardon; And in compliance with that
recommendation, as well as in consideration of all the other
extraordinary circumstances in the case, I, _James Madison_, President
of the United States of America, do issue this proclamation, hereby
granting, publishing and declaring, a free and full pardon of all
offences committed in violation of any act or acts of the Congress of
the said United States, touching the revenue, trade and navigation
thereof, or touching the intercourse and commerce of the United States
with foreign nations, at any time before the eighth day of January, in
the present year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, by any person
or persons whatsoever, being inhabitants of New Orleans and the adjacent
country, or being inhabitants of the said island of Barrataria, and the
places adjacent; _Provided_, that every person, claiming the benefit of
this full pardon, in order to entitle himself thereto, shall produce a
certificate in writing from the governor of the State of Louisiana,
stating that such person has aided in the defence of New Orleans and
the adjacent country, during the invasion thereof as aforesaid.

"And I do hereby further authorize and direct all suits, indictments, and
prosecutions, for fines, penalties, and forfeitures, against any person
or persons, who shall be entitled to the benefit of this full pardon,
forthwith to be stayed, discontinued and released: All civil officers
are hereby required, according to the duties of their respective
stations, to carry this proclamation into immediate and faithful
execution.

"Done at the City of Washington, the sixth day of February, in the year
one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, and of the independence of the
United States the thirty-ninth.

"By the President,

"JAMES MADISON

"JAMES MONROE,

"_Acting Secretary of State_."

The morning of the eighth of January, was ushered in with the discharge
of rockets, the sound of cannon, and the cheers of the British soldiers
advancing to the attack. The Americans, behind the breastwork, awaited
in calm intrepidity their approach. The enemy advanced in close column
of sixty men in front, shouldering their muskets and carrying fascines
and ladders. A storm of rockets preceded them, and an incessant fire
opened from the battery, which commanded the advanced column. The
musketry and rifles from the Kentuckians and Tennesseans, joined the
fire of the artillery, and in a few moments was heard along the line a
ceaseless, rolling fire, whose tremendous noise resembled the continued
reverberation of thunder. One of these guns, a twenty-four pounder,
placed upon the breastwork in the third embrasure from the river, drew,
from the fatal skill and activity with which it was managed, even in
the heat of battle, the admiration of both Americans and British; and
became one of the points most dreaded by the advancing foe.

Here was stationed Lafitte and his lieutenant Dominique and a large band
of his men, who during the continuance of the battle, fought with
unparalleled bravery. The British already had been twice driven back in
the utmost confusion, with the loss of their commander-in-chief, and two
general officers.

Two other batteries were manned by the Barratarians, who served their
pieces with the steadiness and precision of veteran gunners. In the
first attack of the enemy, a column pushed forward between the levee and
river; and so precipitate was their charge that the outposts were forced
to retire, closely pressed by the enemy. Before the batteries could meet
the charge, clearing the ditch, they gained the redoubt through the
embrasures, leaping over the parapet, and overwhelming by their superior
force the small party stationed there.

Lafitte, who was commanding in conjunction with his officers, at one of
the guns, no sooner saw the bold movement of the enemy, than calling a
few of his best men by his side, he sprung forward to the point of
danger, and clearing the breastwork of the entrenchments, leaped,
cutlass in hand, into the midst of the enemy, followed by a score of his
men, who in many a hard fought battle upon his own deck, had been well
tried.

Astonished at the intrepidity which could lead men to leave their
entrenchments and meet them hand to hand, and pressed by the suddenness
of the charge, which was made with the recklessness, skill and rapidity
of practised boarders bounding upon the deck of an enemy's vessel, they
began to give way, while one after another, two British officers fell
before the cutlass of the pirate, as they were bravely encouraging their
men. All the energies of the British were now concentrated to scale the
breastwork, which one daring officer had already mounted. While Lafitte
and his followers, seconding a gallant band of volunteer riflemen,
formed a phalanx which they in vain assayed to penetrate.

The British finding it impossible to take the city and the havoc in
their ranks being dreadful, made a precipitate retreat, leaving the
field covered with their dead and wounded.

General Jackson, in his correspondence with the secretary of war did not
fail to notice the conduct of the "Corsairs of Barrataria," who were, as
we have already seen, employed in the artillery service. In the course
of the campaign they proved, in an unequivocal manner, that they had
been misjudged by the enemy, who a short time previous to the invasion
of Louisiana, had hoped to enlist them in his cause. Many of them were
killed or wounded in the defence of the country. Their zeal, their
courage, and their skill, were remarked by the whole army, who could no
longer consider such brave men as criminals. In a few days peace was
declared between Great Britain and the United States.

The piratical establishment of Barrataria having been broken up and
Lafitte not being content with leading an honest, peaceful life,
procured some fast sailing vessels, and with a great number of his
followers, proceeded to Galvezton Bay, in Texas, during the year 1819;
where he received a commission from General Long; and had five vessels
generally cruising and about 300 men. Two open boats bearing commissions
from General Humbert, of Galvezton, having robbed a plantation on the
Marmento river, of negroes, money, &c., were captured in the Sabine
river, by the boats of the United States schooner Lynx. One of the men
was hung by Lafitte, who dreaded the vengeance of the American
government. The Lynx also captured one of his schooners, and her prize
that had been for a length of time smuggling in the Carmento. One of
his cruisers, named the Jupiter, returned safe to Galvezton after a
short cruise with a valuable cargo, principally specie; she was the
first vessel that sailed under the authority of Texas. The American
government well knowing that where Lafitte was, piracy and smuggling
would be the order of the day, sent a vessel of war to cruise in the
Gulf of Mexico, and scour the coasts of Texas. Lafitte having been
appointed governor of Galvezton and one of the cruisers being stationed
off the port to watch his motions, it so annoyed him that he wrote the
following letter to her commander, Lieutenant Madison.

_To the commandant of the American cruiser, off the port of Galvezton_.

Sir--I am convinced that you are a cruiser of the navy, ordered by your
government. I have therefore deemed it proper to inquire into the cause
of your living before this port without communicating your intention. I
shall by this message inform you, that the port of Galvezton belongs to
and is in the possession of the republic of Texas, and was made a port
of entry the 9th October last. And whereas the supreme congress of said
republic have thought proper to appoint me as governor of this place, in
consequence of which, if you have any demands on said government, or
persons belonging to or residing in the same, you will please to send an
officer with such demands, whom you may be assured will be treated with
the greatest politeness, and receive every satisfaction required. But if
you are ordered, or should attempt to enter this port in a hostile
manner, my oath and duty to the government compels me to rebut your
intentions at the expense of my life.

To prove to you my intentions towards the welfare and harmony of your
government I send enclosed the declaration of several prisoners, who
were taken in custody yesterday, and by a court of inquiry appointed
for that purpose, were found guilty of robbing the inhabitants of the
United States of a number of slaves and specie. The gentlemen bearing
this message will give you any reasonable information relating to this
place, that may be required.

Yours, &c.

J. LAFITTE.

About this time one Mitchell, who had formerly belonged to Lafitte's
gang, collected upwards of one hundred and fifty desperadoes and
fortified himself on an island near Barrataria, with several pieces of
cannon; and swore that he and all his comrades would perish within their
trenches before they would surrender to any man. Four of this gang
having gone to New Orleans on a frolic, information was given to the
city watch, and the house surrounded, when the whole four with cocked
pistols in both hands sallied out and marched through the crowd which
made way for them and no person dared to make an attempt to arrest them.

The United States cutter, Alabama, on her way to the station off the
mouth of the Mississippi, captured a piratical schooner belonging to
Lafitte; she carried two guns and twenty-five men, and was fitted out at
New Orleans, and commanded by one of Lafitte's lieutenants, named Le
Fage; the schooner had a prize in company and being hailed by the
cutter, poured into her a volley of musketry; the cutter then opened
upon the privateer and a smart action ensued which terminated in favor
of the cutter, which had four men wounded and two of them dangerously;
but the pirate had six men killed; both vessels were captured and
brought into the bayou St. John. An expedition was now sent to dislodge
Mitchell and his comrades from the island he had taken possession of;
after coming to anchor, a summons was sent for him to surrender, which
was answered by a brisk cannonade from his breastwork. The vessels were
warped close in shore; and the boats manned and sent on shore whilst the
vessels opened upon the pirates; the boat's crews landed under a galling
fire of grape shot and formed in the most undaunted manner; and although
a severe loss was sustained they entered the breastwork at the point of
the bayonet; after a desperate fight the pirates gave way, many were
taken prisoners but Mitchell and the greatest part escaped to the
cypress swamps where it was impossible to arrest them. A large quantity
of dry goods and specie together with other booty was taken. Twenty of
the pirates were taken and brought to New Orleans, and tried before
Judge Hall, of the Circuit Court of the United States, sixteen were
brought in guilty; and after the Judge had finished pronouncing sentence
of death upon the hardened wretches, several of them cried out in open
court, _Murder--by God_.

Accounts of these transactions having reached Lafitte, he plainly
perceived there was a determination to sweep all his cruisers from the
sea; and a war of extermination appeared to be waged against him.

In a fit of desperation he procured a large and fast sailing brigantine
mounting sixteen guns and having selected a crew of one hundred and
sixty men he started without any commission as a regular pirate
determined to rob all nations and neither to give or receive quarter. A
British sloop of war which was cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, having
heard that Lafitte himself was at sea, kept a sharp look out from the
mast head; when one morning as an officer was sweeping the horizon with
his glass he discovered a long dark looking vessel, low in the water,
but having very tall masts, with sails white as the driven snow. As the
sloop of war had the weather gage of the pirate and could outsail her
before the wind, she set her studding sails and crowded every inch of
canvass in chase; as soon as Lafitte ascertained the character of his
opponent, he ordered the awnings to be furled and set his big
square-sail and shot rapidly through the water; but as the breeze
freshened the sloop of war came up rapidly with the pirate, who, finding
no chance of escaping, determined to sell his life as dearly as
possible; the guns were cast loose and the shot handed up; and a fire
opened upon the ship which killed a number of men and carried away her
foretopmast, but she reserved her fire until within cable's distance of
the pirate; when she fired a general discharge from her broadside, and a
volley of small arms; the broadside was too much elevated to hit the low
hull of the brigantine, but was not without effect; the foretopmast
fell, the jaws of the main gaff were severed and a large proportion of
the rigging came rattling down on deck; ten of the pirates were killed,
but Lafitte remained unhurt. The sloop of war entered her men over the
starboard bow and a terrific contest with pistols and cutlasses ensued;
Lafitte received two wounds at this time which disabled him, a grape
shot broke the bone of his right leg and he received a cut in the
abdomen, but his crew fought like tigers and the deck was ankle deep
with blood and gore; the captain of the boarders received such a
tremendous blow on the head from the butt end of a musket, as stretched
him senseless on the deck near Lafitte, who raised his dagger to stab
him to the heart. But the tide of his existence was ebbing like a
torrent, his brain was giddy, his aim faltered and the point descended
in the Captain's right thigh; dragging away the blade with the last
convulsive energy of a death struggle, he lacerated the wound. Again the
reeking steel was upheld, and Lafitte placed his left hand near the
Captain's heart, to make his aim more sure; again the dizziness of
dissolution spread over his sight, down came the dagger into the
captain's left thigh and Lafitte was a corpse.

The upper deck was cleared, and the boarders rushed below on the main
deck to complete their conquest. Here the slaughter was dreadful, till
the pirates called out for quarter, and the carnage ceased; all the
pirates that surrendered were taken to Jamaica and tried before the
Admiralty court where sixteen were condemned to die, six were
subsequently pardoned and ten executed.

[Illustration: _Death of Lafitte, the Pirate._]

Thus perished Lafitte, a man superior in talent, in knowledge of his
profession, in courage, and moreover in physical strength; but
unfortunately his reckless career was marked with crimes of the darkest
dye.

[Illustration]




THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN ROBERTS.


Bartholomew Roberts was trained to a sea-faring life. Among other
voyages which he made during the time that he lawfully procured his
maintenance, he sailed for the Guinea cost, in November, 1719, where he
was taken by the pirate Davis. He was at first very averse to that mode
of life, and would certainly have deserted, had an opportunity occurred.
It happened to him, however, as to many upon another element, that
preferment calmed his conscience, and reconciled him to that which he
formerly hated.

Davis having fallen in the manner related, those who had assumed the
title of Lords assembled to deliberate concerning the choice of a new
commander. There were several candidates, who, by their services, had
risen to eminence among their breathren, and each of them thought
themselves qualified to bear rule. One addressed the assembled lords,
saying, "that the good of the whole, and the maintenance of order,
demanded a head, but that the proper authority was deposited in the
community at large; so that if one should be elected who did not act and
govern for the general good, he could be deposed, and another be
substituted in his place."

"We are the original," said he, "of this claim, and should a captain be
so saucy as to exceed prescription at any time, why, down with him! It
will be a caution, after he is dead, to his successors, to what fatal
results any undue assumption may lead; however, it is my advice, while
be are sober, to pitch upon a man of courage, and one skilled in
navigation,--one who, by his prudence and bravery, seems best able to
defend this commonwealth, and ward us from the dangers and tempests of
an unstable element, and the fatal consequences of anarchy; and such a
one I take Roberts to be: a fellow in all respects worthy of your esteem
and favor."

This speech was applauded by all but Lord Simpson, who had himself
strong expectations of obtaining the highest command. He at last, in a
surly tone, said, he did not regard whom they chose as a commander,
provided he was not a papist, for he had conceived a mortal hatred to
papists, because his father had been a sufferer in Monmouth's rebellion.

Thus, though Roberts had only been a few weeks among them, his election
was confirmed by the Lords and Commons. He, with the best face he could,
accepted of the dignity, saying, "that since he had dipped his hands in
muddy water, and must be a pirate, it was better being a commander than
a private man."

The governor being settled, and other officers chosen in the room of
those who had fallen with Davis, it was resolved not to leave this place
without revenging his death. Accordingly, thirty men, under the command
of one Kennedy, a bold and profligate fellow, landed, and under cover of
the fire of the ship, ascended the hill upon which the fort stood. They
were no sooner discovered by the Portuguese, than they abandoned the
fort, and took shelter in the town. The pirates then entered without
opposition, set fire to the fort, and tumbled the guns into the sea.

Not satisfied with this injury, some proposed to land and set the town
in flames. Roberts however, reminded them of the great danger to which
this would inevitably expose them; that there was a thick wood at the
back of the town, where the inhabitants could hide themselves, and that,
when their all was at stake, they would make a bolder resistance: and
that the burning or destroying of a few houses, would be a small return
for their labor, and the loss that they might sustain. This prudent
advice had the desired effect, and they contented themselves with
lightening the French vessel, and battering down several houses of the
town, to show their high displeasure.

Roberts sailed southward, captured a Dutch Guineaman, and, having
emptied her of everything they thought proper, returned her to the
commander. Two days after, he captured an English ship, and, as the men
joined in pirating, emptied and burned the vessel, and then sailed for
St. Thomas. Meeting with no prize, he sailed for Anamaboa, and there
watered and repaired. Having again put to sea, a vote was taken whether
they should sail for the East Indies or for Brazil. The latter place was
decided upon, and they arrived there in twenty-eight days.

Upon this coast our rovers cruised for about nine weeks, keeping
generally out of sight of land, but without seeing a sail; which
discouraged them so, that they determined to leave the station, and
steer for the West Indies; and, in order thereto, they stood in to make
the land for the taking of their departure, by which means they fell in,
unexpectedly, with a fleet of forty-two sail of Portuguese ships, off
the Bay of Los Todos Santos, with all their lading in for Lisbon;
several of them of good force, who lay there waiting for two men of war
of seventy guns each for their convoy. However, Roberts thought it
should go hard with him but he would make up his market among them, and
thereupon he mixed with the fleet, and kept his men concealed till
proper resolutions could be formed; that done, they came close up to one
of the deepest, and ordered her to send the master on board quietly,
threatening to give them no quarter, if any resistance or signal of
distress was made. The Portuguese, being surprised at these threats, and
the sudden flourish of cutlasses from the pirates, submitted without a
word, and the captain came on board. Roberts saluted him in a friendly
manner, telling him that they were gentlemen of fortune, and that their
business with him was only to be informed which was the richest ship in
that fleet; and if he directed them right, he should be restored to his
ship without molestation, otherwise he must expect instant death.

He then pointed to a vessel of forty guns, and a hundred and fifty men;
and though her strength was greatly superior to Roberts', yet he made
towards her, taking the master of the captured vessel along with him.
Coming alongside of her, Roberts ordered the prisoner to ask, "How
Seignior Captain did?" and to invite him on board, as he had a matter of
importance to impart to him. He was answered, "That he would wait upon
him presently." Roberts, however, observing more than ordinary bustle on
board, at once concluded they were discovered, and pouring a broadside
into her, they immediately boarded, grappled, and took her. She was a
very rich prize, laden with sugar, skins, and tobacco, with four
thousand moidores of gold, besides other valuable articles.

In possession of so much riches, they now became solicitous to find a
safe retreat in which to spend their time in mirth and wantonness. They
determined upon a place called the Devil's Island upon the river
Surinam, where they arrived in safety, and met with a kind reception
from the governor and the inhabitants.

In this river they seized a sloop, which informed them that she had
sailed in company with a brigantine loaded with provisions. This was
welcome intelligence, as their provisions were nearly exhausted. Deeming
this too important a business to trust to foreign hands, Roberts, with
forty men in the sloop, gave chase to that sail. In the keenness of the
moment, and trusting in his usual good fortune, Roberts supposed that he
had only to take a short sail in order to bring in the vessel with her
cargo; but to his sad disappointment, he pursued her during eight days,
and instead of gaining, was losing way. Under these circumstances, he
came to anchor, and sent off the boat to give intelligence of their
distress to their companions.

In their extremity of want, they took up part of the floor of the cabin,
and patched up a sort of tray with rope-yarns, to paddle on shore to get
a little water to preserve their lives. When their patience was almost
exhausted, the boat returned, but instead of provisions, brought the
unpleasing information, that the lieutenant, one Kennedy, had run off
with both the ships.

The misfortune and misery of Roberts were greatly aggravated by
reflecting upon his own imprudence and want of foresight, as well as
from the baseness of Kennedy and his crew. Impelled by the necessity of
his situation, he now began to reflect upon the means he should employ
for future support. Under the foolish supposition that any laws, oaths
or regulations, could bind those who had bidden open defiance to all
divine and human laws, he proceeded to form a code of regulations for
the maintenance of order and unity in his little commonwealth.

But present necessity compelled them to action, and with their small
sloop they sailed for the West Indies. They were not long before they
captured two sloops, which supplied them with provisions, and a few days
after, a brigantine, and then proceeded to Barbadoes. When off that
island they met a vessel of ten guns, richly laden from Bristol; after
plundering, and detaining her three days, they allowed her to prosecute
her voyage. This vessel, however, informed the governor of what had
befallen them, who sent a vessel of twenty guns and eighty men in quest
of the pirates.

That vessel was commanded by one Rogers, who, on the second day of his
cruise, discovered Roberts. Ignorant of any vessel being sent after
them, they made towards each other. Roberts gave him a gun but instead
of striking, the other returned a broadside, with three huzzas. A
severe engagement ensued, and Roberts being hard put to it, lightened
his vessel and ran off.

Roberts then sailed for the Island of Dominica, where he watered, and
was supplied by the inhabitants with provisions, for which he gave them
goods in return. Here he met with fifteen Englishmen left upon the
island by a Frenchman who had made a prize of their vessel; and they,
entering into his service, proved a seasonable addition to his strength.

Though he did not think this a proper place for cleaning, yet as it was
absolutely necessary that it should be done, he directed his course to
the Granada islands for that purpose. This, however, had well nigh
proved fatal to him; for the Governor of Martinique fitted out two
sloops to go in quest of the pirates. They, however, sailed to the
above-mentioned place, cleaned with unusual despatch, and just left that
place the night before the sloops in pursuit of them arrived.

They next sailed for Newfoundland, arriving upon the banks in June,
1720, and entered the harbor of Trepassi, with their black colors
flying, drums beating, and trumpets sounding. In that harbor there were
no less than twenty-two ships, which the men abandoned upon the sight of
the pirates. It is impossible to describe the injury which they did at
this place, by burning or sinking the ships, destroying the plantations,
and pillaging the houses. Power in the hands of mean and ignorant men
renders them wanton, insolent and cruel. They are literally like madmen,
who cast firebrands, arrows and death, and say, "Are not we in sport?"

Roberts reserved a Bristol galley from his depredations in the harbor,
which he fitted and manned for his own service. Upon the banks he met
ten sail of French ships, and destroyed them all, except one of
twenty-six guns, which he seized and carried off, and called her the
Fortune. Then giving the Bristol galley to the Frenchman, they sailed
in quest of new adventures, and soon took several prizes, and out of
them increased the number of their own hands. The Samuel, one of these,
was a very rich vessel, having some respectable passengers on board, who
were roughly used, and threatened with death if they did not deliver up
their money and their goods. They stripped the vessel of every article,
either necessary for their vessel or themselves, to the amount of eight
or nine thousand pounds. They then deliberated whether to sink or burn
the Samuel, but in the mean time they discovered a sail, so they left
the empty Samuel, and gave the other chase. At midnight they overtook
her, and she proved to be the Snow from Bristol; and, because he was an
Englishman, they used the master in a cruel and barbarous manner. Two
days after, they took the Little York of Virginia, and the Love of
Liverpool, both of which they plundered and sent off. In three days they
captured three other vessels, removing the goods out of them, sinking
one, and sending off the other two.

They next sailed for the West Indies, but provisions growing short,
proceeded to St. Christopher's, where, being denied provisions by the
governor, they fired on the town, and burnt two ships in the roads. They
then repaired to the island of St. Bartholomew, where the governor
supplied them with every necessary, and caressed them in the kindest
manner. Satiated with indulgence, and having taken in a large stock of
everything necessary, they unanimously voted to hasten to the coast of
Guinea. In their way they took a Frenchman, and as she was fitter for
the pirate service than their own, they informed the captain, that, as
"a fair exchange was no robbery," they would exchange sloops with him;
accordingly, having shifted their men, they set sail. However, going by
mistake out of the track of the trade winds, they were under the
necessity of returning to the West Indies.

They now directed their course to Surinam but not having sufficient
water for the voyage they were soon reduced to a mouthful of water in
the day; their numbers daily diminished by thirst and famine and the few
who survived were reduced to the greatest weakness. They at last had not
one drop of water or any other liquid, when, to their inexpressible joy,
they anchored in seven fathoms of water. This tended to revive exhausted
nature and inspire them with new vigour, though as yet they had received
no relief. In the morning they discovered land, but at such a distance
that their hopes were greatly dampened. The boat was however sent off,
and at night returned with plenty of that necessary element. But this
remarkable deliverance produced no reformation in the manners of these
unfeeling and obdurate men.

Steering their course from that place to Barbadoes, in their way they
met with a vessel which supplied them with all necessaries. Not long
after, they captured a brigantine, the mate of which joined their
association. Having from these two obtained a large supply, they changed
their course and watered at Tobago. Informed, however, that there were
two vessels sent in pursuit of them, they went to return their
compliments to the Governor of Martinique for this kindness.

It was the custom of the Dutch interlopers, when they approached this
island to trade with the inhabitants, to hoist their jacks. Roberts knew
the signal, and did so likewise. They, supposing that a good market was
near, strove who could first reach Roberts. Determined to do them all
possible mischief he destroyed them one by one as they came into his
power. He only reserved one ship to send the men on shore, and burnt the
remainder, to the number of twenty.

Roberts and his crew were so fortunate as to capture several vessels and
to render their liquor so plentiful, that it was esteemed a crime
against Providence not to be continually drunk. One man, remarkable
for his sobriety, along with two others, found an opportunity to set off
without taking leave of their friends. But a despatch being sent after
them, they were brought back, and in a formal manner tried and
sentenced, but one of them was saved by the humorous interference of one
of the judges, whose speech was truly worthy of a pirate--while the
other two suffered the punishment of death.

[Illustration: _Captain Roberts' Crew carousing at Old Calabar River._]

When necessity again compelled them, they renewed their cruising; and,
dissatisfied with capturing vessels which only afforded them a temporary
supply, directed their course to the Guinea coast to forage for gold.
Intoxication rendered them unruly, and the brigantine at last embraced
the cover of night to abandon the commodore. Unconcerned at the loss of
his companion, Roberts pursued his voyage. He fell in with two French
ships, the one of ten guns and sixty-five men, and the other of sixteen
guns and seventy-five men. These dastards no sooner beheld the black
flag than they surrendered. With these they went to Sierra Leone,
constituting one of them a consort, by the name of the Ranger, and the
other a store-ship. This port being frequented by the greater part of
the traders to that quarter, they remained here six weeks, enjoying
themselves in all the splendor and luxury of a piratical life.

After this they renewed their voyage, and having captured a vessel, the
greater part of the men united their fortunes with the pirates. On board
of one of the ships was a clergyman, whom some of them proposed taking
along with them, for no other reason than that they had not a chaplain
on board. They endeavored to gain his consent, and assured him that he
should want for nothing, and his only work would be, to make punch and
say prayers. Depraved, however, as these men were, they did not choose
to constrain him to go, but displayed their civility further, by
permitting him to carry along with him whatever he called his own.
After several cruises, they now went into a convenient harbor at Old
Calabar, where they cleaned, refitted, divided their booty, and for a
considerable time caroused, to banish care and sober reflection.

According to their usual custom, the time of festivity and mirth was
prolonged until the want of means recalled them to reason and exertion.
Leaving this port, they cruised from place to place with varied success;
but in all their captures, either burning, sinking, or devoting their
prizes to their own use, according to the whim of the moment. The
Swallow and another man-of-war being sent out expressly to pursue and
take Roberts and his fleet, he had frequent and certain intelligence of
their destination; but having so often escaped their vigilance, he
became rather too secure and fearless. It happened, however, that while
he lay off Cape Lopez, the Swallow had information of his being in that
place, and made towards him. Upon the appearance of a sail, one of
Roberts' ships was sent to chase and take her. The pilot of the Swallow
seeing her coming, manoeouvred his vessel so well, that though he fled
at her approach, in order to draw her out of the reach of her
associates, yet he at his own time allowed her to overtake the
man-of-war.

Upon her coming up to the Swallow, the pirate hoisted the black flag,
and fired upon her; but how greatly were her crew astonished, when they
saw that they had to contend with a man-of-war, and seeing that all
resistance was vain, they cried out for quarter, which was granted, and
they were made prisoners, having ten men killed and twenty wounded,
without the loss or hurt of one of the king's men.

On the 10th, in the morning, the man-of-war bore away to round the cape.
Roberts' crew, discerning their masts over the land, went down into the
cabin to acquaint him of it, he being then at breakfast with his new
guest, captain Hill, on a savoury dish of salmagundy and some of his
own beer. He took no notice of it, and his men almost as little, some
saying she was a Portuguese ship, others a French slave ship, but the
major part swore it was the French Ranger returning; and they were
merrily debating for some time on the manner of reception, whether they
should salute her or not; but as the Swallow approached nearer, things
appeared plainer; and though they who showed any apprehension of danger
were stigmatized with the name of cowards, yet some of them, now
undeceived, declared it to Roberts, especially one Armstrong, who had
deserted from that ship, and knew her well. These Roberts swore at as
cowards, who meant to dishearten the men, asking them, if it were so,
whether they were afraid to fight or not? In short, he hardly refrained
from blows. What his own apprehensions were, till she hauled up her
ports and hoisted her proper colors, is uncertain; but then, being
perfectly convinced, he slipped his cable, got under sail, ordered his
men to arms without any show of timidity, dropping a first-rate oath,
that it was a bite, but at the same time resolved, like a gallant rogue,
to get clear or die.

There was one Armstrong, as was just mentioned, a deserter from the
Swallow, of whom they enquired concerning the trim and sailing of that
ship; he told them she sailed best upon the wind, and therefore, if they
designed to leave her, they should go before it.

The danger was imminent, and the time very short, to consult about means
to extricate himself; his resolution in this strait was as follows: to
pass close to the Swallow with all their sails, and receive her
broadside before they returned a shot; if disabled by this, or if they
could not depend on sailing, then to run on shore at the point, and
every one to shift for himself among the negroes; or failing these, to
board, and blow up together, for he saw that the greatest part of his
men were drunk, passively courageous, and unfit for service.

Roberts, himself, made a gallant figure at the time of the engagement,
being dressed in a rich crimson damask waistcoat and breeches, a red
feather in his hat, a gold chain round his neck, with a diamond cross
hanging to it, a sword in his hand, and two pair of pistols hanging at
the end of a silk sling flung over his shoulders, according to the
custom of the pirates. He is said to have given his orders with boldness
and spirit. Coming, according to what he had purposed, close to the
man-of-war, he received her fire, and then hoisted his black flag and
returned it, shooting away from her with all the sail he could pack; and
had he taken Armstrong's advice to have gone before the wind, he had
probably escaped; but keeping his tacks down, either by the wind's
shifting, or ill steerage, or both, he was taken aback with his sails,
and the Swallow came a second time very nigh to him. He had now,
perhaps, finished the fight very desperately, if death, who took a swift
passage in a grape shot, had not interposed, and struck him directly on
the throat. He settled himself on the tackles of a gun; which one
Stephenson, from the helm, observing, ran to his assistance, and not
perceiving him wounded, swore at him, and bade him stand up and fight
like a man; but when he found his mistake, and that his captain was
certainly dead, he burst into tears, and wished the next shot might be
his portion. They presently threw him overboard, with his arms and
ornaments on, according to his repeated request in his life-time.

This extraordinary man and daring pirate was tall, of a dark complexion,
about 40 years of age, and born in Pembrokeshire. His parents were
honest and respectable, and his natural activity, courage, and
invention, were superior to his education. At a very early period, he,
in drinking, would imprecate vengeance upon "the head of him who ever
lived to wear a halter." He went willingly into the pirate service, and
served three years as a second man. It was not for want of employment,
but from a roving, wild, and boisterous turn of mind. It was his usual
declaration, that, "In an honest service, there are commonly low wages
and hard labor; in this,--plenty, satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty,
and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the
hazard that is run for it at worst, is only a sour look or two at
choking? No,--a merry life and a short one, shall be my motto!" But it
was one favorable trait in his character, that he never forced any man
into the pirate service.

The prisoners were strictly guarded while on board, and being conveyed
to Cape Coast castle, they underwent a long and solemn trial. The
generality of them remained daring and impenitent for some time, but
when they found themselves confined within a castle, and their fate
drawing near, they changed their course, and became serious, penitent,
and fervent in their devotions. Though the judges found no small
difficulty in explaining the law, and different acts of parliament, yet
the facts were so numerous and flagrant which were proved against them,
that there was no difficulty in bringing in a verdict of guilty.




THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS.


_Containing an Account of his Atrocities committed in the West Indies_.

This atrocious and cruel pirate, when very young became addicted to
vices uncommon in youths of his age, and so far from the gentle reproof
and friendly admonition, or the more severe chastisement of a fond
parent, having its intended effect, it seemed to render him still worse,
and to incline him to repay those whom he ought to have esteemed as his
best friends and who had manifested so much regard for his welfare, with
ingratitude and neglect. His infamous career and ignominious death on
the gallows; brought down the "grey hairs of his parents in sorrow to
the grave." The poignant affliction which the infamous crimes of
children bring upon their relatives ought to be one of the most
effective persuasions for them to refrain from vice.

Charles Gibbs was born in the state of Rhode Island, in 1794; his
parents and connexions were of the first respectability. When at school,
he was very apt to learn, but so refractory and sulky, that neither the
birch nor good counsel made any impression on him, and he was expelled
from the school.

He was now made to labor on a farm; but having a great antipathy to
work, when about fifteen years of age, feeling a great inclination to
roam, and like too many unreflecting youths of that age, a great
fondness for the sea, he in opposition to the friendly counsel of his
parents, privately left them and entered on board the United States
sloop-of-war, Hornet, and was in the action when she captured the
British sloop-of-war Peacock, off the coast of Pernambuco. Upon the
return of the Hornet to the United States, her brave commander, Capt.
Lawrence, was promoted for his gallantry to the command of the
unfortunate Chesapeake, and to which he was followed by young Gibbs, who
took a very distinguished part in the engagement with the Shannon, which
resulted in the death of Lawrence and the capture of the Chesapeake.
Gibbs states that while on board the Chesapeake the crew previous to the
action, were almost in a state of mutiny, growing out of the non payment
of the prize money, and that the address of Capt. Lawrence was received
by them with coldness and murmurs.

After the engagement, Gibbs became with the survivors of the crew a
prisoner of war, and as such was confined in Dartmoor prison until
exchanged.

After his exchange, he returned to Boston, where having determined to
abandon the sea, he applied to his friends in Rhode Island, to assist
him in commencing business; they accordingly lent him one thousand
dollars as a capital to begin with. He opened a grocery in Ann Street,
near what was then called the _Tin Pot_, a place full of abandoned women
and dissolute fellows. As he dealt chiefly in liquor, and had a
"_License to retail Spirits_," his drunkery was thronged with customers.
But he sold his groceries chiefly to loose girls who paid him in their
coin, which, although it answered his purpose, would neither buy him
goods or pay his rent, and he found his stock rapidly dwindling away
without his receiving any cash to replenish it. By dissipation and
inattention his new business proved unsuccessful to him. He resolved to
abandon it and again try the sea for a subsistence. With a hundred
dollars in his pocket, the remnant of his property, he embarked in the
ship John, for Buenos Ayres, and his means being exhausted soon after
his arrival there, he entered on board a Buenos Ayrean privateer and
sailed on a cruise. A quarrel between the officers and crew in regard to
the division of prize money, led eventually to a mutiny; and the
mutineers gained the ascendancy, took possession of the vessel, landed
the crew on the coast of Florida, and steered for the West Indies, with
hearts resolved to make their fortunes at all hazards, and where in a
short time, more than twenty vessels were captured by them and nearly
_Four Hundred Human Beings Murdered_!

Havana was the resort of these pirates to dispose of their plunder; and
Gibbs sauntered about this place with impunity and was acquainted in all
the out of the way and bye places of that hot bed of pirates the Regla.
He and his comrades even lodged in the very houses with many of the
American officers who were sent out to take them. He was acquainted with
many of the officers and was apprised of all their intended movements
before they left the harbor. On one occasion, the American ship
Caroline, was captured by two of their piratical vessels off Cape
Antonio. They were busily engaged in landing the cargo, when the British
sloop-of-war, Jearus, hove in sight and sent her barges to attack them.
The pirates defended themselves for some time behind a small four gun
battery which they had erected, but in the end were forced to abandon
their own vessel and the prize and fly to the mountains for safety. The
Jearus found here twelve vessels burnt to the water's edge, and it was
satisfactorily ascertained that their crews, amounting to _one hundred
and fifty persons had been murdered_. The crews, if it was thought not
necessary otherways to dispose of them were sent adrift in their boats,
and frequently without any thing on which they could subsist a single
day; nor were all so fortunate thus to escape. "Dead men can tell no
tales," was a common saying among them; and as soon as a ship's crew
were taken, a short consultation was held; and if it was the opinion of
a majority that it would be better to take life than to spare it, a
single nod or wink from the captain was sufficient; regardless of age or
sex, all entreaties for mercy were then made in vain; they possessed not
the tender feelings, to be operated upon by the shrieks and expiring
groans of the devoted victims! there was a strife among them, who with
his own hands could despatch the greatest number, and in the shortest
period of time.

Without any other motives than to gratify their hellish propensities (in
their intoxicated moments), blood was not unfrequently and unnecessarily
shed, and many widows and orphans probably made, when the lives of the
unfortunate victims might have been spared, and without the most distant
prospect of any evil consequences (as regarded themselves), resulting
therefrom.

Gibbs states that sometime in the course of the year 1819, he left
Havana and came to the United States, bringing with him about $30,000.
He passed several weeks in the city of New York, and then went to
Boston, whence he took passage for Liverpool in the ship Emerald. Before
he sailed, however, he has squandered a large part of his money by
dissipation and gambling. He remained in Liverpool a few months, and
then returned to Boston. His residence in Liverpool at that time is
satisfactorily ascertained from another source besides his own
confession. A female now in New York was well acquainted with him there,
where, she says, he lived like a gentleman, with apparently abundant
means of support. In speaking of his acquaintance with this female he
says, "I fell in with a woman, who I thought was all virtue, but she
deceived me, and I am sorry to say that a heart that never felt abashed
at scenes of carnage and blood, was made a child of for a time by her,
and I gave way to dissipation to drown the torment. How often when the
fumes of liquor have subsided, have I thought of my good and
affectionate parents, and of their Godlike advice! But when the little
monitor began to move within me, I immediately seized the cup to hide
myself from myself, and drank until the sense of intoxication was
renewed. My friends advised me to behave myself like a man, and promised
me their assistance, but the demon still haunted me, and I spurned their
advice."

In 1826, he revisited the United States, and hearing of the war between
Brazil and the Republic of Buenos Ayres, sailed from Boston in the brig
Hitty, of Portsmouth, with a determination, as he states, of trying his
fortune in defence of a republican government. Upon his arrival he made
himself known to Admiral Brown, and communicated his desire to join
their navy. The admiral accompanied him to the Governor, and a
Lieutenant's commission being given him, he joined a ship of 34 guns,
called the 'Twenty Fifth of May.' "Here," says Gibbs, "I found
Lieutenant Dodge, an old acquaintance, and a number of other persons
with whom I had sailed. When the Governor gave me the commission he told
me they wanted no cowards in their navy, to which I replied that I
thought he would have no apprehension of my cowardice or skill when he
became acquainted with me. He thanked me, and said he hoped he should
not be deceived; upon which we drank to his health and to the success of
the Republic. He then presented me with a sword, and told me to wear
that as my companion through the doubtful struggle in which the republic
was engaged. I told him I never would disgrace it, so long as I had a
nerve in my arm. I remained on board the ship in the capacity of 5th
Lieutenant, for about four months, during which time we had a number of
skirmishes with the enemy. Having succeeded in gaining the confidence of
Admiral Brown, he put me in command of a privateer schooner, mounting
two long 24 pounders and 46 men. I sailed from Buenos Ayres, made two
good cruises, and returned safely to port. I then bought one half of a
new Baltimore schooner, and sailed again, but was captured seven days
out, and carried into Rio Janeiro, where the Brazilians paid me my
change. I remained there until peace took place, then returned to Buenos
Ayres, and thence to New York.

"After the lapse of about a year, which I passed in travelling from place
to place, the war between France and Algiers attracted my attention.
Knowing that the French commerce presented a fine opportunity for
plunder, I determined to embark for Algiers and offer my services to the
Dey. I accordingly took passage from New York, in the Sally Ann,
belonging to Bath, landed at Barcelona, crossed to Port Mahon, and
endeavored to make my way to Algiers. The vigilance of the French fleet
prevented the accomplishment of my design, and I proceeded to Tunis.
There finding it unsafe to attempt a journey to Algiers across the
desert, I amused myself with contemplating the ruins of Carthage, and
reviving my recollections of her war with the Romans. I afterwards took
passage to Marseilles, and thence to Boston."

An instance of the most barbarous and cold blooded murder of which the
wretched Gibbs gives an account in the course of his confessions, is
that of an innocent and beautiful female of about 17 or 18 years of age!
she was with her parents a passenger on board a Dutch ship, bound from
Curracoa to Holland; there were a number of other passengers, male and
female, on board, all of whom except the young lady above-mentioned were
put to death; her unfortunate parents were inhumanly butchered before
her eyes, and she was doomed to witness the agonies and to hear the
expiring, heart-piercing groans of those whom she held most dear, and on
whom she depended for protection! The life of their wretched daughter
was spared for the most nefarious purposes--she was taken by the pirates
to the west end of Cuba, where they had a rendezvous, with a small fort
that mounted four guns--here she was confined about two months, and
where, as has been said by the murderer Gibbs, "she received such
treatment, the bare recollection of which causes me to shudder!" At the
expiration of the two months she was taken by the pirates on board of
one of their vessels, and among whom a consultation was soon after held,
which resulted in the conclusion that it would be necessary for their
own personal safety, to put her to death! and to her a fatal dose of
poison was accordingly administered, which soon proved fatal! when her
pure and immortal spirit took its flight to that God, whom, we believe,
will avenge her wrongs! her lifeless body was then committed to the deep
by two of the merciless wretches with as much unconcern, as if it had
been that of the meanest brute! Gibbs persists in the declaration that
in this horrid transaction he took no part, that such was his pity for
this poor ill-fated female, that he interceded for her life so long as
he could do it with safety to his own!

[Illustration: _Gibbs carrying the Dutch Girl on board his Vessel._]

Gibbs in his last visit to Boston remained there but a few days, when he
took passage to New Orleans, and there entered as one of the crew on
board the brig Vineyard; and for assisting in the murder of the
unfortunate captain and mate of which, he was justly condemned, and the
awful sentence of death passed upon him! The particulars of the bloody
transaction (agreeable to the testimony of Dawes and Brownrigg, the two
principal witnesses,) are as follows: The brig Vineyard, Capt. William
Thornby, sailed from New Orleans about the 9th of November, for
Philadelphia, with a cargo of 112 bales of cotton, 113 hhds. sugar, 54
casks of molasses and 54,000 dollars in specie. Besides the captain
there were on board the brig, William Roberts, mate, six seamen shipped
at New Orleans, and the cook. Robert Dawes, one of the crew, states on
examination, that when, about five days out, he was told that there was
money on board, Charles Gibbs, E. Church and the steward then determined
to take possession of the brig. They asked James Talbot, another of the
crew, to join them. He said no, as he did not believe there was money in
the vessel. They concluded to kill the captain and mate, and if Talbot
and John Brownrigg would not join them, to kill them also. The next
night they talked of doing it, and got their clubs ready. Dawes dared
not say a word, as they declared they would kill him if he did; as they
did not agree about killing Talbot and Brownrigg, two shipmates, it was
put off. They next concluded to kill the captain and mate on the night
of November 22, but did not get ready; but, on the night of the 23d,
between twelve and one o'clock, as Dawes was at the helm, saw the
steward come up with a light and a knife in his hand; he dropt the light
and seizing the pump break, struck the captain with it over the head
or back of the neck; the captain was sent forward by the blow, and
halloed, oh! and murder! once; he was then seized by Gibbs and the cook,
one by the head and the other by the heels, and thrown overboard. Atwell
and Church stood at the companion way, to strike down the mate when he
should come up. As he came up and enquired what was the matter they
struck him over the head--he ran back into the cabin, and Charles Gibbs
followed him down; but as it was dark, he could not find him--Gibbs came
on deck for the light, with which he returned. Dawes' light being taken
from him, he could not see to steer, and he in consequence left the
helm, to see what was going on below. Gibbs found the mate and seized
him, while Atwell and Church came down and struck him with a pump break
and a club; he was then dragged upon deck; they called for Dawes to come
to them, and as he came up the mate seized his hand, and gave him a
death gripe! three of them then hove him overboard, but which three
Dawes does not know; the mate when cast overboard was not dead, but
called after them twice while in the water! Dawes says he was so
frightened that he hardly knew what to do. They then requested him to
call Talbot, who was in the forecastle, saying his prayers; he came up
and said it would be his turn next! but they gave him some grog, and
told him not to be afraid, as they would not hurt him; if he was true to
them, he should fare as well as they did. One of those who had been
engaged in the bloody deed got drunk, and another became crazy!

[Illustration: _Gibbs shooting a comrade._]

After killing the captain and mate, they set about overhauling the
vessel, and got up one keg of Mexican dollars. They then divided the
captain's clothes, and money--about 40 dollars, and a gold watch. Dawes,
Talbot and Brownrigg, (who were all innocent of the murder,) were
obliged to do as they were commanded--the former, who was placed at the
helm, was ordered to steer for Long Island. On the day following, they
divided several kegs of the specie, amounting to five thousand dollars
each--they made bags and sewed the money up. After this division, they
divided the remainder of the money without counting it. On Sunday, when
about 15 miles S.S.E. of Southampton Light, they got the boats out and
put half the money in each--they then scuttled the vessel and set fire
to it in the cabin, and took to the boats. Gibbs, after the murder, took
charge of the vessel as captain. From the papers they learnt that the
money belonged to Stephen Girard. With the boats they made the land
about daylight. Dawes and his three companions were in the long boat;
the others, with Atwell, were in the jolly boat--on coming to the bar
the boats struck--in the long boat, they threw overboard a trunk of
clothes and a great deal of money, in all about 5000 dollars--the jolly
boat foundered; they saw the boat fill, and heard them cry out, and saw
them clinging to the masts--they went ashore on Barron Island, and
buried the money in the sand, but very lightly. Soon after they met with
a gunner, whom they requested to conduct them where they could get some
refreshments. They were by him conducted to Johnson's (the only man
living on the island,) where they staid all night--Dawes went to bed at
about 10 o'clock--Jack Brownrigg set up with Johnson, and in the morning
told Dawes that he had told Johnson all about the murder. Johnson went
in the morning with the steward for the clothes, which were left on the
top of the place where they buried the money, but does not believe they
took away the money.

[Illustration: _Captain Thornby murdered and thrown overboard by Gibbs
and the steward._]

The prisoners, (Gibbs and Wansley,) were brought to trial at the
February term of the United States Court, holden in the city of New
York; when the foregoing facts being satisfactorily proved, they were
pronounced guilty, and on the 11th March last, the awful sentence of the
law was passed upon them in the following affecting and impressive
manner:--The Court opened at 11 o'clock, Judge Betts presiding. A few
minutes after that hour, Mr. Hamilton, District Attorney, rose and
said--May it please the Court, Thomas J. Wansley, the prisoner at the
bar, having been tried by a jury of his country, and found guilty of the
murder of Captain Thornby, I now move that the sentence of the Court be
pronounced upon that verdict.

[Illustration: _Gibbs and Wansley burying the Money._]

_By the Court_. Thomas J. Wansley, you have heard what has been said by
the District Attorney--by the Grand Jury of the South District of New
York, you have been arraigned for the wilful murder of Captain Thornby,
of the brig Vineyard; you have been put upon your trial, and after a
patient and impartial hearing, you have been found Guilty. The public
prosecutor now moves for judgment on that verdict; have you any thing to
say, why the sentence of the law should not be passed upon you?

_Thomas J. Wansley_. I will say a few words, but it is perhaps of no
use. I have often understood that there is a great deal of difference in
respect of color, and I have seen it in this Court. Dawes and Brownrigg
were as guilty as I am, and these witnesses have tried to fasten upon me
greater guilt than is just, for their life has been given to them. You
have taken the blacks from their own country, to bring them here to
treat them ill. I have seen this. The witnesses, the jury, and the
prosecuting Attorney consider me more guilty than Dawes, to condemn
me--for otherwise the law must have punished him; he should have had the
same verdict, for he was a perpetrator in the conspiracy.
Notwithstanding my participating, they have sworn falsely for the
purpose of taking my life; they would not even inform the Court, how I
gave information of money being on board; they had the biggest part of
the money, and have sworn falsely. I have said enough. I will say no
more.

_By the Court_. The Court will wait patiently and hear all you have to
say; if you have any thing further to add, proceed.

_Wansley_ then proceeded. In the first place, I was the first to ship on
board the Vineyard at New Orleans, I knew nobody; I saw the money come
on board. The judge that first examined me, did not take my deposition
down correctly. When talking with the crew on board, said the brig was
an old craft, and when we arrived at Philadelphia, we all agreed to
leave her. It was mentioned to me that there was plenty of money on
board. Henry Atwell said "let's have it." I knew no more of this for
some days. Atwell came to me again and asked "what think you of taking
the money." I thought it was a joke, and paid no attention to it. The
next day he said they had determined to take the brig and money, and
that they were the strongest party, and would murder the officers, and
he that informed should suffer with them. I knew Church in Boston, and
in a joke asked him how it was made up in the ship's company; his reply,
that it was he and Dawes. There was no arms on board as was ascertained;
the conspiracy was known to the whole company, and had I informed, my
life would have been taken, and though I knew if I was found out my life
would be taken by law, which is the same thing, so I did not inform. I
have committed murder and I know I must die for it.

_By the Court_. If you wish to add any thing further you will still be
heard.

_Wansley_. No sir, I believe I have said enough.

The District Attorney rose and moved for judgment on Gibbs, in the same
manner as in the case of Wansley, and the Court having addressed Gibbs,
in similar terms, concluded by asking what he had to say why the
sentence of the law should not now be passed upon him.

_Charles Gibbs_ said, I wish to state to the Court, how far I am guilty
and how far I am innocent in this transaction. When I left New Orleans,
I was a stranger to all on board, except Dawes and Church. It was off
Tortugas that Atwell first told me there was money on board, and
proposed to me to take possession of the brig. I refused at that time.
The conspiracy was talked of for some days, and at last I agreed that I
would join. Brownrigg, Dawes, Church, and the whole agreed that they
would. A few days after, however, having thought of the affair, I
mentioned to Atwell, what a dreadful thing it was to take a man's life,
and commit piracy, and recommended him to "abolish," their plan. Atwell
and Dawes remonstrated with me; I told Atwell that if ever he would
speak of the subject again, I would break his nose. Had I kept to my
resolution I would not have been brought here to receive my sentence. It
was three days afterwards that the murder was committed. Brownrigg
agreed to call up the captain from the cabin, and this man, (pointing to
Wansley,) agreed to strike the first blow. The captain was struck and I
suppose killed, and I lent a hand to throw him overboard. But for the
murder of the mate, of which I have been found guilty, I am innocent--I
had nothing to do with that. The mate was murdered by Dawes and Church;
that I am innocent of this I commit my soul to that God who will judge
all flesh--who will judge all murderers and false swearers, and the
wicked who deprive the innocent of his right. I have nothing more to
say.

_By the Court_. Thomas J. Wansley and Charles Gibbs, the Court has
listened to you patiently and attentively; and although you have said
something in your own behalf, yet the Court has heard nothing to affect
the deepest and most painful duty that he who presides over a public
tribunal has to perform.

You, Thomas J. Wansley, conceive that a different measure of justice has
been meted out to you, because of your color. Look back upon your whole
course of life; think of the laws under which you have lived, and you
will find that to white or black, to free or bond, there is no ground
for your allegations; that they are not supported by truth or justice.
Admit that Brownrigg and Dawes have sworn falsely; admit that Dawes was
concerned with you; admit that Brownrigg is not innocent; admit, in
relation to both, that they are guilty, the whole evidence has proved
beyond a doubt that you are guilty; and your own words admit that you
were an active agent in perpetrating this horrid crime. Two fellow
beings who confided in you, and in their perilous voyage called in your
assistance, yet you, without reason or provocation, have maliciously
taken their lives.

If, peradventure, there was the slightest foundation for a doubt of your
guilt, in the mind of the Court, judgment would be arrested, but there
is none; and it now remains to the Court to pronounce the most painful
duty that devolves upon a civil magistrate. The Court is persuaded of
your guilt; it can form no other opinion. Testimony has been heard
before the Court and Jury--from that we must form our opinion. We must
proceed upon testimony, ascertain facts by evidence of witnesses, on
which we must inquire, judge and determine as to guilt or innocence, by
that evidence alone. You have been found guilty. You now stand for the
last time before an earthly tribunal, and by your own acknowledgments,
the sentence of the law falls just on your heads. When men in ordinary
cases come under the penalty of the law there is generally some
palliative--something to warm the sympathy of the Court and Jury. Men
may be led astray, and under the influence of passion have acted under
some long smothered resentment, suddenly awakened by the force of
circumstances, depriving him of reason, and then they may take the life
of a fellow being. Killing, under that kind of excitement, might
possibly awaken some sympathy, but that was not your case; you had no
provocation. What offence had Thornby or Roberts committed against you?
They entrusted themselves with you, as able and trustworthy citizens;
confiding implicitly in you; no one act of theirs, after a full
examination, appears to have been offensive to you; yet for the purpose
of securing the money you coolly determined to take their lives--you
slept and deliberated over the act; you were tempted on, and yielded;
you entered into the conspiracy, with cool and determined calculation to
deprive two human beings of their lives, and it was done.

You, Charles Gibbs, have said that you are not guilty of the murder of
Roberts; but were you not there, strongly instigating the murderers on,
and without stretching out a hand to save him?--It is murder as much to
stand by and encourage the deed, as to stab with a knife, strike with a
hatchet, or shoot with a pistol. It is not only murder in law, but in
your own feelings and in your own conscience. Notwithstanding all this,
I cannot believe that your feelings are so callous, so wholly callous,
that your own minds do not melt when you look back upon the unprovoked
deeds of yourselves, and those confederated with you.

You are American citizens--this country affords means of instruction to
all: your appearance and your remarks have added evidence that you are
more than ordinarily intelligent; that your education has enabled you to
participate in the advantages of information open to all classes. The
Court will believe that when you were young you looked with strong
aversion on the course of life of the wicked. In early life, in boyhood,
when you heard of the conduct of men, who engaged in robbery--nay more,
when you heard of cold blooded murder--how you must have shrunk from the
recital. Yet now, after having participated in the advantages of
education, after having arrived at full maturity, you stand here as
robbers and murderers.

It is a perilous employment of life that you have followed; in this way
of life the most enormous crimes that man can commit, are MURDER AND
PIRACY. With what detestation would you in early life have looked upon
the man who would have raised his hand against his officer, or have
committed piracy! yet now you both stand here murderers and pirates,
tried and found guilty--you Wansley of the murder of your Captain, and
you, Gibbs, of the murder of your Mate. The evidence has convicted you
of rising in mutiny against the master of the vessel, for that alone,
the law is DEATH!--of murder and robbery on the high seas, for that
crime, the law adjudges DEATH--of destroying the vessel and embezzling
the cargo, even for scuttling and burning the vessel alone the law is
DEATH; yet of all these the evidence has convicted you, and it only
remains now for the Court to pass the sentence of the law. It is, that
you, Thomas J. Wansley and Charles Gibbs be taken hence to the place of
confinement, there to remain in close custody, that thence you be taken
to the place of execution, and on the 22d April next, between the hours
of 10 and 4 o'clock, you be both publicly hanged by the neck until you
are DEAD--and that your bodies be given to the College of Physicians and
Surgeons for dissection.

The Court added, that the only thing discretionary with it, was the time
of execution; it might have ordered that you should instantly have been
taken from the stand to the scaffold, but the sentence has been deferred
to as distant a period as prudent--six weeks. But this time has not been
granted for the purpose of giving you any hope for pardon or commutation
of the sentence;--just as sure as you live till the twenty-second of
April, as surely you will suffer death--therefore indulge not a hope
that this sentence will be changed!

The Court then spoke of the terror in all men of death!--how they cling
to life whether in youth, manhood or old age. What an awful thing it is
to die! how in the perils of the sea, when rocks or storms threaten the
loss of the vessel, and the lives of all on board, how the crew will
labor, night and day, in the hope of escaping shipwreck and death!
alluded to the tumult, bustle and confusion of battle--yet even there
the hero clings to life. The Court adverted not only to the certainty of
their coming doom on earth, but to THINK OF HEREAFTER--that they should
seriously think and reflect of their FUTURE STATE! that they would be
assisted in their devotions no doubt, by many pious men.

When the Court closed, Charles Gibbs asked, if during his imprisonment,
his friends would be permitted to see him. The Court answered that that
lay with the Marshal, who then said that no difficulty would exist on
that score. The remarks of the Prisoners were delivered in a strong,
full-toned and unwavering voice, and they both seemed perfectly resigned
to the fate which inevitably awaited them. While Judge Betts was
delivering his address to them, Wansley was deeply affected and shed
tears--but Gibbs gazed with a steady and unwavering eye, and no sign
betrayed the least emotion of his heart. After his condemnation, and
during his confinement, his frame became somewhat enfeebled, his face
paler, and his eyes more sunken; but the air of his bold, enterprising
and desperate mind still remained. In his narrow cell, he seemed more
like an object of pity than vengeance--was affable and communicative,
and when he smiled, exhibited so mild and gentle a countenance, that no
one would take him to be a villain. His conversation was concise and
pertinent, and his style of illustration quite original.

Gibbs was married in Buenos Ayres, where he has a child now living. His
wife is dead. By a singular concurrence of circumstances, the woman with
whom he became acquainted in Liverpool, and who is said at that time to
have borne a decent character, was lodged in the same prison with
himself. During his confinement he wrote her two letters--one of them is
subjoined, to gratify the perhaps innocent curiosity which is naturally
felt to know the peculiarities of a man's mind and feelings under such
circumstances, and not for the purpose of intimating a belief that he
was truly penitent. The reader will be surprised with the apparent
readiness with which he made quotations from Scripture.

"BELLEVUE PRISON, March 20, 1831.

"It is with regret that I take my pen in hand to address you with these
few lines, under the great embarrassment of my feelings placed within
these gloomy walls, my body bound with chains, and under the awful
sentence of death! It is enough to throw the strongest mind into gloomy
prospects! but I find that Jesus Christ is sufficient to give
consolation to the most despairing soul. For he saith, that he that
cometh to me I will in no ways cast out. But it is impossible to
describe unto you the horror of my feelings. My breast is like the
tempestuous ocean, raging in its own shame, harrowing up the bottom of
my soul! But I look forward to that serene calm when I shall sleep with
Kings and Counsellors of the earth. There the wicked cease from
troubling, and there the weary are at rest!--There the prisoners rest
together--they hear not the voice of the oppressor; and I trust that
there my breast will not be ruffled by the storm of sin--for the thing
which I greatly feared has come upon me. I was not in safety, neither
had I rest; yet trouble came. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth to
him good. When I saw you in Liverpool, and a peaceful calm wafted across
both our breasts, and justice no claim upon us, little did I think to
meet you in the gloomy walls of a strong prison, and the arm of justice
stretched out with the sword of law, awaiting the appointed period to
execute the dreadful sentence. I have had a fair prospect in the world,
at last it budded, and brought forth the gallows. I am shortly to mount
that scaffold, and to bid adieu to this world, and all that was ever
dear to my breast. But I trust when my body is mounted on the gallows
high, the heavens above will smile and pity me. I hope that you will
reflect on your past, and fly to that Jesus who stands with open arms to
receive you. Your character is lost, it is true. When the wicked turneth
from the wickedness that they have committed, they shall save their soul
alive.

"Let us imagine for a moment that we see the souls standing before the
awful tribunal, and we hear its dreadful sentence, depart ye cursed into
everlasting fire. Imagine you hear the awful lamentations of a soul in
hell. It would be enough to melt your heart, if it was as hard as
adamant. You would fall upon your knees and plead for God's mercy, as a
famished person would for food, or as a dying criminal would for a
pardon. We soon, very soon, must go the way whence we shall ne'er
return. Our names will be struck off the records of the living, and
enrolled in the vast catalogues of the dead. But may it ne'er be
numbered with the damned.--I hope it will please God to set you at your
liberty, and that you may see the sins and follies of your life past. I
shall now close my letter with a few words which I hope you will receive
as from a dying man; and I hope that every important truth of this
letter may sink deep in your heart, and be a lesson to you through life.

 "Rising griefs distress my soul,
  And tears on tears successive roll--
  For many an evil voice is near,
  To chide my woes and mock my fear--
  And silent memory weeps alone,
  O'er hours of peace and gladness known.

"I still remain your sincere friend, CHARLES GIBBS."

In another letter which the wretched Gibbs wrote after his condemnation
to one who had been his early friend, he writes as follows:--"Alas! it
is now, and not until now, that I have become sensible of my wicked
life, from my childhood, and the enormity of the crime, for which I must
shortly suffer an ignominious death!--I would to God that I never had
been born, or that I had died in my infancy!--the hour of reflection has
indeed come, but come too late to prevent justice from cutting me
off--my mind recoils with horror at the thoughts of the unnatural deeds
of which I have been guilty!--my repose rather prevents than affords me
relief, as my mind, while I slumber, is constantly disturbed by
frightful dreams of my approaching awful dissolution!"

On Friday, April twenty-second, Gibbs and Wansley paid the penalty of
their crimes. Both prisoners arrived at the gallows about twelve
o'clock, accompanied by the marshal, his aids, and some twenty or thirty
United States' marines. Two clergymen attended them to the fatal spot,
where everything being in readiness, and the ropes adjusted about their
necks, the Throne of Mercy was fervently addressed in their behalf.
Wansley then prayed earnestly himself, and afterwards joined in singing
a hymn. These exercises concluded, Gibbs addressed the spectators nearly
as follows:

MY DEAR FRIENDS,

My crimes have been heinous--and although I am now about to suffer for
the murder of Mr. Roberts, I solemnly declare my innocence of the
transaction. It is true, I stood by and saw the fatal deed done, and
stretched not forth my arm to save him; the technicalities of the law
believe me guilty of the charge--but in the presence of my God--before
whom I shall be in a few minutes--I declare I did not murder him.

I have made a full and frank confession to Mr. Hopson, which probably
most of my hearers present have already read; and should any of the
friends of those whom I have been accessary to, or engaged in the murder
of, be now present, before my Maker I beg their forgiveness--it is the
only boon I ask--and as I hope for pardon through the blood of Christ,
surely this request will not be withheld by man, to a worm like myself,
standing as I do, on the very verge of eternity! Another moment, and I
cease to exist--and could I find in my bosom room to imagine that the
spectators now assembled had forgiven me, the scaffold would have no
terrors, nor could the precept which my much respected friend, the
marshal of the district, is about to execute. Let me then, in this
public manner, return my sincere thanks to him, for his kind and
gentlemanly deportment during my confinement. He was to me like a
father, and his humanity to a dying man I hope will be duly appreciated
by an enlightened community.

My first crime was _piracy_, for which my _life_ would pay for forfeit
on conviction; no punishment could be inflicted on me further than that,
and therefore I had nothing to fear but detection, for had my offences
been millions of times more aggravated than they are now, _death_ must
have satisfied all.

Gibbs having concluded, Wansley began. He said he might be called a
pirate, a robber, and a murderer, and he was all of these, but he hoped
and trusted God would, through Christ, wash away his aggravated crimes
and offences, and not cast him entirely out. His feelings, he said, were
so overpowered that he hardly knew how to address those about him, but
he frankly admitted the justness of the sentence, and concluded by
declaring that he had no hope of pardon except through the atoning blood
of his Redeemer, and wished that his sad fate might teach others to shun
the broad road to ruin, and travel in that of virtue, which would lead
to honor and happiness in this world, and an immortal crown of glory in
that to come.

He then shook hands with Gibbs, the officers, and clergymen--their caps
were drawn over their faces, a handkerchief dropped by Gibbs as a signal
to the executioner caused the cord to be severed, and in an instant they
were suspended in air. Wansley folded his hands before him, soon died
with very trifling struggles. Gibbs died hard; before he was run up, and
did not again remove them, but after being near two minutes suspended,
he raised his right hand and partially removed his cap, and in the
course of another minute, raised the same hand to his mouth. His dress
was a blue round-about jacket and trousers, with a foul anchor in white
on his right arm. Wansley wore a white frock coat, trimmed with black,
with trousers of the same color.

After the bodies had remained on the gallows the usual time, they were
taken down and given to the surgeons for dissection.

Gibbs was rather below the middle stature, thick set and powerful. The
form of Wansley was a perfect model of manly beauty.

[Illustration]




HISTORY OF THE ADVENTURES, CAPTURE AND EXECUTION OF THE SPANISH
PIRATES.

In the Autumn of 1832, there was anchored in the "Man of War Grounds,"
off the Havana, a clipper-built vessel of the fairest proportions; she
had great length and breadth of beam, furnishing stability to bear a
large surface of sail, and great depth to take hold of the water and
prevent drifting; long, low in the waist, with lofty raking masts, which
tapered away till they were almost too fine to be distinguished, the
beautiful arrowy sharpness of her bow, and the fineness of her gradually
receding quarters, showed a model capable of the greatest speed in
sailing. Her low sides were painted black, with one small, narrow
ribband of white. Her raking masts were clean scraped, her ropes were
hauled taught, and in every point she wore the appearance of being under
the control of seamanship and strict discipline. Upon going on board,
one would be struck with surprise at the deception relative to the
tonnage of the schooner, when viewed at a distance. Instead of a small
vessel of about ninety tons, we discover that she is upwards of two
hundred; that her breadth of beam is enormous; and that those spars
which appeared so light and elegant, are of unexpected dimensions. In
the centre of the vessel, between the fore and main masts, there is a
long brass thirty-two pounder, fixed upon a carriage revolving in a
circle, and so arranged that in bad weather it can be lowered down and
housed; while on each side of the deck were mounted guns of smaller
calibre.

This vessel was fashioned, at the will of avarice, for the aid of
cruelty and injustice; it was an African slaver--the schooner Panda. She
was commanded by Don Pedro Gilbert, a native of Catalonia, in Spain, and
son of a grandee; a man thirty-six years of age, and exceeding handsome,
having a round face, pearly teeth, round forehead, and full black eyes,
with beautiful raven hair, and a great favorite with the ladies. He
united great energy, coolness and decision, with superior knowledge in
mercantile transactions, and the Guinea trade; having made several
voyages after slaves. The mate and owner of the Panda was Don Bernardo
De Soto, a native of Corunna, Spain, and son, of Isidore De Soto,
manager of the royal revenue in said city; he was now twenty-five years
of age, and from the time he was fourteen had cultivated the art of
navigation, and at the age of twenty-two had obtained the degree of
captain in the India service. After a regular examination the
correspondent diploma was awarded him. He was married to Donna Petrona
Pereyra, daughter of Don Benito Pereyra, a merchant of Corunna. She was
at this time just fifteen, and ripening into that slight fullness of
form, and roundness of limb, which in that climate mark the early
passing from girl into woman. Her complexion was the dark olive tinge of
Spain; her eyes jet black, large and lustrous. She had great sweetness
of disposition and ingenuousness.

To the strictest discipline De Soto united the practical knowledge of a
thorough seaman. But "the master spirit of the whole," was Francisco
Ruiz, the carpenter of the Panda. This individual was of the middle
size, but muscular, with a short neck. His hair was black and abundant,
and projected from his forehead, so that he appeared to look out from
under it, like a bonnet. His eyes were dark chestnut, but always
restless; his features were well defined; his eye-lashes, jet black. He
was familiar with all the out-of-the-way places of the Havana, and
entered into any of the dark abodes without ceremony. From report his
had been a wild and lawless career. The crew were chiefly Spaniards,
with a few Portuguese, South Americans, and half castes. The cook was a
young Guinea negro, with a pleasant countenance, and good humored, with
a sleek glossy skin, and tatooed on the face; and although entered in
the schooner's books as free, yet was a slave. In all there were about
forty men. Her cargo was an assorted one, consisting in part of barrels
of rum, and gunpowder, muskets, cloth, and numerous articles, with which
to purchase slaves.

The Panda sailed from the Havana on the night of the 20th of August; and
upon passing the Moro Castle, she was hailed, and asked, "where bound?"
She replied, St. Thomas. The schooner now steered through the Bahama
channel, on the usual route towards the coast of Guinea; a man was
constantly kept at the mast head, on the lookout; they spoke a corvette,
and on the morning of the 20th Sept., before light, and during the
second mate's watch, a brig was discovered heading to the southward.
Capt. Gilbert was asleep at the time, but got up shortly after she was
seen, and ordered the Panda to go about and stand for the brig. A
consultation was held between the captain, mate and carpenter, when the
latter proposed to board her, and if she had any specie to rob her,
confine the men below, and burn her. This proposition was instantly
acceded to, and a musket was fired to make her heave to.

This vessel was the American brig Mexican, Capt. Butman. She had left
the pleasant harbor of Salem, Mass., on the last Wednesday of August,
and was quietly pursuing her voyage towards Rio Janeiro. Nothing
remarkable had happened on board, says Captain B., until half past two
o'clock, in the morning of September 20th, in lat. 38, 0, N., lon. 24,
30, W. The attention of the watch on deck was forcibly arrested by the
appearance of a vessel which passed across our stern about half a mile
from us. At 4 A.M. saw her again passing across our bow, so near that
we could perceive that it was a schooner with a fore top sail and top
gallant sail. As it was somewhat dark she was soon out of sight. At
daylight saw her about five miles off the weather quarter standing on
the wind on the same tack we were on, the wind was light at SSW and we
were standing about S.E. At 8 A.M. she was about two miles right to
windward of us; could perceive a large number of men upon her deck, and
one man on the fore top gallant yard looking out; was very suspicious of
her, but knew not how to avoid her. Soon after saw a brig on our weather
bow steering to the N.E. By this time the schooner was about three miles
from us and four points forward of the beam. Expecting that she would
keep on for the brig ahead of us, we tacked to the westward, keeping a
little off from the wind to make good way through the water, to get
clear of her if possible. She kept on to the eastward about ten or
fifteen minutes after we had tacked, then wore round, set square sail,
steering directly for us, came down upon us very fast, and was soon
within gun shot of us, fired a gun and hoisted patriot colors and backed
main topsail. She ran along to windward of us, hailed us to know where
we were from, where bound, &c. then ordered me to come on board in my
boat. Seeing that she was too powerful for us to resist, I accordingly
went, and soon as I got along-side of the schooner, five ruffians
instantly jumped into my boat, each of them being armed with a large
knife, and told me to go on board the brig again; when they got on board
they insisted that we had got money, and drew their knives, threatening
us with instant death and demanding to know where it was. As soon as
they found out where it was they obliged my crew to get it up out of the
run upon deck, beating and threatening them at the same time because
they did not do it quicker. When they had got it all upon deck, and
hailed the schooner, they got out their launch and came and took it on
board the schooner, viz: ten boxes containing twenty thousand dollars;
then returned to the brig again, drove all the crew into the forecastle,
ransacked the cabin, overhauling all the chests, trunks, &c. and rifled
my pockets, taking my watch, and three doubloons which I had previously
put there for safety; robbed the mate of his watch and two hundred
dollars in specie, still insisting that there was more money in the
hold. Being answered in the negative, they beat me severely over the
back, said they knew that there was more, that they should search for
it, and if they found any they would cut all our throats. They continued
searching about in every part of the vessel for some time longer, but
not finding any more specie, they took two coils of rigging, a side of
leather, and some other articles, and went on board the schooner,
probably to consult what to do with us; for, in eight or ten minutes
they came back, apparently in great haste, shut us all below, fastened
up the companion way, fore-scuttle and after hatchway, stove our
compasses to pieces in the binnacles, cut away tiller-ropes, halliards,
braces, and most of our running rigging, cut our sails to pieces badly;
took a tub of tarred rope-yarn and what combustibles they could find
about deck, put them in the caboose house and set them on fire; then
left us, taking with them our boat and colors. When they got alongside
of the schooner they scuttled our boat, took in their own, and made
sail, steering to the eastward.

As soon as they left us, we got up out of the cabin scuttle, which they
had neglected to secure, and extinguished the fire, which if it had been
left a few minutes, would have caught the mainsail and set our masts on
fire. Soon after we saw a ship to leeward of us steering to the S.E. the
schooner being in pursuit of her did not overtake her whilst she was in
sight of us.

It was doubtless their intention to burn us up altogether, but seeing
the ship, and being eager for more plunder they did not stop fully to
accomplish their design. She was a low strait schooner of about one
hundred and fifty tons, painted black with a narrow white streak, a
large head with the horn of plenty painted white, large maintopmast but
no yards or sail on it. Mast raked very much, mainsail very square at
the head, sails made with split cloth and all new; had two long brass
twelve pounders and a large gun on a pivot amidships, and about seventy
men, who appeared to be chiefly Spaniards and mulattoes.

[Illustration: _Pirates robbing the brig Mexican of Salem, Mass._]

The object of the voyage being frustrated by the loss of the specie,
nothing now remained but for the Mexican to make the best of her way
back to Salem, which she reached in safety. The government of the United
States struck with the audacity of this piracy, despatched a cruiser in
pursuit of them. After a fruitless voyage in which every exertion was
made, and many places visited on the coast of Africa, where it was
supposed the rascals might be lurking, the chase was abandoned as
hopeless, no clue being found to their "whereabouts."

The Panda after robbing the Mexican, pursued her course across the
Atlantic, and made Cape Monte; from this she coasted south, and after
passing Cape Palmas entered the Gulf of Guinea, and steered for Cape
Lopez which she reached in the first part of November. Cape Lopez de
Gonzalves, in lat. 0° 36' 2" south, long. 80° 40' 4" east, is so called
from its first discoverer. It is covered with wood but low and swampy,
as is also the neighboring country. The extensive bay formed by this
cape is fourteen miles in depth, and has several small creeks and rivers
running into it. The largest is the river Nazareth on the left point of
which is situated King Gula's town the only assemblage of huts in the
bay. Here the cargo of the Panda was unloaded, the greater part was
entrusted to the king, and with the rest Capt. Gilbert opened a factory
and commenced buying various articles of commerce, as tortoise shell,
gum, ivory, palm oil, fine straw carpeting, and slaves. After remaining
here a short time the crew became sickly and Capt. Gilbert sailed for
Prince's Island to recover the health of his crew. Whilst at Prince's
Island news arrived of the robbery of the Mexican. And the pirate left
with the utmost precipitation for Cape Lopez, and the better to evade
pursuit, a pilot was procured; and the vessel carried several miles up
the river Nazareth. Soon after the Panda left Prince's Island, the
British brig of war, Curlew, Capt. Trotter arrived, and from the
description given of the vessel then said to be lying in the Nazareth,
Capt. Trotter knew she must be the one, that robbed the Mexican; and he
instantly sailed in pursuit. On nearing the coast, she was discovered
lying up the river; three boats containing forty men and commanded by
Capt. Trotter, started up the river with the sea breeze and flood tide,
and colors flying to take the desperadoes; the boats kept in near the
shore until rounding a point they were seen from the Panda. The pirates
immediately took to their boats, except Francisco Ruiz who seizing a
fire brand from the camboose went into the magazine and set some
combustibles on fire with the laudable purpose of blowing up the
assailants, and then paddled ashore in a canoe. Capt. Trotter chased
them with his boats, but could not come up with them, and then boarded
the schooner which he found on fire. The first thing he did was to put
out the fire which was in the magazine, below the cabin floor; here was
found a quantity of cotton and brimstone burning and a slow match
ignited and communicating with the magazine, which contained sixteen
casks of powder.

The Panda was now warped out of the river and anchored off the negro
town of Cape Lopez. Negociations were now entered into for the surrender
of the pirates. An officer was accordingly sent on shore to have an
interview with the king. He was met on the beach by an ebony chief
calling himself duke. "We followed the duke through the extensive and
straggling place, frequently buried up to the ankles in sand, from which
the vegetation was worn by the constant passing and repassing of the
inhabitants. We arrived at a large folding door placed in a high bamboo
and palm tree fence, which inclosed the king's establishment, ornamented
on our right by two old honeycombed guns, which, although dismounted,
were probably, according to the practice of the coast, occasionally
fired to attract the attention of passing vessels, and to imply that
slaves were to be procured. On the left of the enclosure was a shed,
with a large ship's bell suspended beneath, serving as an alarum bell in
case of danger, while the remainder was occupied with neatly built huts,
inhabited by the numerous wives of the king.

"We sent in to notify him of our arrival; he sent word out that we might
remain outside until it suited his convenience. But as such an
arrangement did not suit ours, we immediately entered, and found sitting
at a table the king. He was a tall, muscular, ugly looking negro, about
fifty years of age. We explained the object of our visit, which was to
demand the surrender of the white men, who were now concealed in the
town, and for permission to pass up the river in pursuit of those who
had gone up that way. He now expressed the most violent indignation at
our presumption in demanding the pirates, and the interview was broken
off by his refusing to deliver up a single man."

We will now return to the pirates. While at Prince's Island, Capt.
Gilbert bought a magnificent dressing case worth nearly a thousand
dollars and a patent lever watch, and a quantity of tobacco, and
provisions, and two valuable cloth coats, some Guinea cloth and black
and green paint. The paint, cloth and coats were intended as presents
for the African king at Cape Lopez. These articles were all bought with
the money taken from the Mexican. After arriving at the Nazareth, $4000
were taken from the trunk, and buried in the yard of a negro prince.
Four of the pirates then went to Cape Lopez for $11,000, which had been
buried there. Boyga, Castillo, Guzman, and the "State's Evidence,"
Ferez, were the ones who went. Ferez took the bags out, and the others
counted the money; great haste was made as the musquitoes were biting
intolerably. $5000 were buried for the captain in canvas bags about two
feet deep, part of the money was carried to Nazareth, and from there
carried into the mountains and there buried. A consultation was held by
Capt. Gilbert, De Soto, and Ruiz, and the latter said, if the money was
not divided, "there would be the devil to pay." The money was now
divided in a dark room and a lantern used; Capt. Gilbert sat on the
floor with the money at his side. He gave the mate about $3000, and the
other officers $1000, each; and the crew from $300 to $500, each. The
third mate having fled, the captain sent him $1000, and Ruiz carried it
to him. When the money was first taken from the Mexican, it was spread
out on the companion way and examined to see if there was any gold
amongst it; and then put into bags made of dark coarse linen; the boxes
were then thrown overboard. After the division of the money the pirates
secreted themselves in the woods behind Cape Lopez. Perez and four
others procured a boat, and started for Fernando Po; they put their
money in the bottom of the boat for ballast, but was thrown overboard,
near a rock and afterwards recovered by divers; this was done to prevent
detection. The captain, mate, and carpenter had a conversation
respecting the attempt of the latter, to blow her up, who could not
account for the circumstance, that an explosion had not taken place;
they told him he ought to have burst a barrel of powder over the deck
and down the stairs to the magazine, loaded a gun, tied a fish line to
the lock and pulled it when he came off in the canoe.

[Illustration: _View of the Negro village on the river Nazareth, and the
Panda at anchor._]

The Panda being manned by Capt. Trotter and an English crew, commenced
firing on the town of Cape Lopez, but after firing several shots, a
spark communicated with the magazine and she blew up. Several men were
killed, and Captain Trotter and the others thrown into the water, when
he was made prisoner with several of his crew, by the King, and it
required considerable negociations to get them free.

[Illustration: _Burying the money on the beach at Cape Lopez._]

The pirates having gone up the river, an expedition was now equipped to
take them if possible. The long-boat and pinnace were instantly armed,
and victualled for several weeks, a brass gun was mounted on the bows of
each, and awnings fixed up to protect the crew from the extreme heat of
the sun by day, and the heavy dews at nightfall. As the sea-breeze and
the flood-tide set in, the boats again started and proceeded up the
river. It was ascertained the war-canoes were beyond where the Panda was
first taken; for fear of an ambuscade great caution was observed in
proceeding. "As we approached a point, a single native was observed
standing near a hut erected near the river, who, as we approached,
beckoned, and called for us to land. We endeavored to do so, but
fortunately the water was too shallow to approach near enough.

"We had hardly steered about for the channel, when the man suddenly
rushed into the bushes and disappeared. We got into the channel, and
continued some time in deep water, but this suddenly shoaled, and the
boats grounded near a mangrove, just as we came in sight of a village.
Our crew jumped out, and commenced tracking the boat over the sand, and
while thus employed, I observed by means of my glass, a crowd of
natives, and some of the pirates running down the other side of a low
point, apparently with the intention of giving us battle, as they were
all armed with spears and muskets."

The men had just succeeded in drawing the boats into deep water, when a
great number of canoes were observed coming round the point, and at the
same instant another large party running down to launch; some more on
the beach, when they joined those already afloat, in all made above
twenty-eight canoes, and about one hundred and fifty men. Having
collected all their forces, with loud whooping and encouraging shouts to
one another, they led towards us with great celerity.

We prepared instantly for battle; the awnings were got down to allow
room to use the cutlasses and to load the muskets. The brass guns were
loaded with grape shot. They now approached uttering terrific yells, and
paddling with all speed. On board the canoes the pirates were loading
the guns and encouraging the natives. Bernardo de Soto and Francisco
Ruiz were conspicuous, in manoeuvring the negro boats for battle, and
commenced a straggling fire upon the English boats. In them all was
still, each man had a cutlass by his side, and a loaded musket in his
hand. On arriving within pistol-shot a well directed fire was poured
into them, seconded by a discharge of the three pounders; many of the
balls took effect, and two of the canoes were sunk. A brisk fire was
kept up on both sides; a great number of the negroes were killed, and a
few of the pirates; the English loss was small. The negroes now became
panic-struck, and some paddled towards the shore, others jumped
overboard and swam; the sharks caught several. Captain Gilbert and De
Soto were now caught, together with five of the crew; Ruiz and the rest
escaped to a village, some ways inland, and with the aid of a telescope
it was perceived the negroes were rapidly gathering to renew the combat,
urged on by Ruiz and the other pirates; after dislodging them from this
village, negociations were entered into by the king of Cape Lopez, who
surrendered Ruiz and several men to Captain Trotter. They were carried
in the brig Curlew to Fernando Po, and after an examination, were put in
irons and conveyed to England, and there put on board the British
gun-brig Savage, and arrived in the harbor of Salem on the 26th August,
1834. Her commander, Lieut. Loney, waited upon the authorities of Salem,
and after the usual formalities, surrendered the prisoners into their
hands--stating that the British Government waived their right to try and
punish the prisoners, in favor of the United States, against whom the
principal offence had been committed. The pirates were landed at
Crowningshield wharf, and taken from thence in carriages to the Town
hall; twelve of them, handcuffed in pairs, took their places at the bar.
They were all young and middle-aged, the oldest was not over forty.
Physiognomically, they were not uncommonly ill looking, in general,
although there were exceptions, and they were all clean and wholesome in
their appearance. They were now removed to Boston and confined in
prison, where one of them, named Manuel Delgarno cut his throat with a
piece of glass, thus verifying the old proverb, _that those born to be
hung, will never be drown'd!_

On the 11th of November, Don Pedro Gilbert, _Captain_, Don Bernardo de
Soto, _Mate_, Francisco Ruiz, _Carpenter_, Nicola Costa, _Cabin-boy,_
aged 15, Antonio Ferrer, _Cook_, and Manuel Boyga, Domingo de Guzman,
_an Indian_, Juan Antonio Portana, Manuel Castillo, Angel Garcia, Jose
Velasquez, and Juan Montenegro, _alias_ Jose Basilio de Castro, were
arraigned before the Circuit Court of the United States, charged with
the crime of Piracy. Joseph Perez appeared as _State's evidence_, and
two Portuguese sailors who were shipped on board the Panda at Prince's
Island, as witnesses. After a jury was empannelled, Mr. Dunlap, the
District Attorney, rose and said--"This is a solemn, and also an unusual
scene. Here are twelve men, strangers to our country and to our
language, indicted for a heinous offence, and now before you for life or
death. They are indicted for a daring crime, and a flagrant violation of
the laws, not only of this, but of every other civilized people." He
then gave an outline of the commission of the robbery of the Mexican.
Numerous witnesses were examined, amongst whom were the captain, mate,
and several seamen of the Mexican, who recognized several of the pirates
as being the individuals who maltreated them, and took the specie. When
Thomas Fuller, one of the crew of the Mexican was called upon to
identify Ruiz, he went up to him and struck him a violent blow on the
shoulder. Ruiz immediately started up, and with violent gesticulations
protested against such conduct, and was joined by his companions. The
Court reprimanded the witness severely. The trial occupied _fourteen
days_. The counsel for the prisoners were David L. Child, Esq., and
George Hillard, Esq., who defended them with great ability. Mr. Child
brought to the cause his untiring zeal, his various and profound
learning; and exhibited a labour, and _desperation_ which showed that he
was fully conscious of the weight of the load--the dead lift--he had
undertaken to carry. Mr. Hillard concluded his argument, by making an
eloquent and affecting appeal to the jury in behalf of the boy Costa and
Antonio Ferrer, the cook, and alluded to the circumstance of Bernardo de
Soto having rescued the lives of 70 individuals on board the American
ship Minerva, whilst on a voyage from Philadelphia to Havana, when
captain of the brig Leon.

[Illustration: _Explosion of the Panda._]

If, gentlemen, said he, you deem with me, that the crew of the Panda,
(supposing her to have robbed the Mexican,) were merely servants of the
captain, you cannot convict them. But if you do not agree with me, then
all that remains for me to do, is to address a few words to you in the
way of mercy. It does not seem to me that the good of society requires
the death of all these men, the sacrifice of such a hecatomb of human
victims, or that the sword of the law should fall till it is clogged
with massacre. _Antonio Ferrer_ is plainly but a servant. He is set down
as a free black in the ship's papers, but that is no proof that he is
free. Were he a slave, he would in all probability be represented as
free, and this for obvious reasons. He is in all probability a slave,
and a native African, as the tattooing on his face proves beyond a
doubt. At any rate, he is but a servant. Now will you make misfortune
pay the penalty of guilt? Do not, I entreat you, lightly condemn this
man to death. Do not throw him in to make up the dozen. The regard for
human life is one of the most prominent proofs of a civilized state of
society. The Sultan of Turkey may place women in sacks and throw them
into the Bosphorus, without exciting more than an hour's additional
conversation at Constantinople. But in our country it is different. You
well remember the excitement produced by the abduction and death of a
single individual; the convulsions which ensued, the effect of which
will long be felt in our political institutions. You will ever find that
the more a nation becomes civilized, the greater becomes the regard for
human life. There is in the eye, the form, and heaven-directed
countenance of man, something holy, that forbids he should be rudely
touched.

The instinct of life is great. The light of the sun even in chains, is
pleasant; and life, though supported but by the damp exhalations of a
dungeon, is desirable. Often, too, we cling with added tenacity to life
in proportion as we are deprived of all that makes existence to be
coveted.

[Illustration: _Thomas Fuller striking Ruiz in Court._]

  "The weariest and most loathed worldly life.
  That age, ache, penury and imprisonment
  Can lay on Nature, is a Paradise
  To that we fear of Death."

Death is a fearful thing. The mere mention of it sometimes blanches the
cheek, and sends the fearful blood to the heart. It is a solemn thing to
break into the "bloody house of life." Do not, because this man is but
an African, imagine that his existence is valueless. He is no drift weed
on the ocean of life. There are in his bosom the same social sympathies
that animate our own. He has nerves to feel pain, and a heart to throb
with human affections, even as you have. His life, to establish the law,
or to further the ends of justice, is not required. _Taken_, it is to us
of no value; given to him, it is above the price of rubies.

And _Costa_, the cabin boy, only fifteen years of age when this crime
was committed--shall he die? Shall the sword fall upon his neck? Some of
you are advanced in years--you may have children. Suppose the news had
reached you, that your son was under trial for his life, in a foreign
country--(and every cabin boy who leaves this port may be placed in the
situation of this prisoner,)--suppose you were told that he had been
executed, because his captain and officers had violated the laws of a
distant land; what would be your feelings? I cannot tell, but I believe
the feelings of all of you would be the same, and that you would
exclaim, with the Hebrew, "My son! my son! would to God I had died for
thee." This boy _has_ a father; let the form of that father rise up
before you, and plead in your hearts for his offspring. Perhaps he has a
mother, and a home. Think of the lengthened shadow that must have been
cast over that home by his absence. Think of his mother, during those
hours of wretchedness, when she has felt hope darkening into
disappointment, next into anxiety, and from anxiety into despair. How
often may she have stretched forth her hands in supplication, and asked,
even the winds of heaven, to bring her tidings of him who was away? Let
the supplications of that mother touch your hearts, and shield their
object from the law.

After a luminous charge by Judge Story, the jury retired to agree upon
their verdict, and at 9 o'clock the next morning came in with their
verdict.

_Clerk_. Gentlemen of the Jury, have you agreed upon your verdict?

_Jury_. We have.

_Clerk_. Who shall speak for you?

_Jury_. Our foreman.

The prisoners were then directed severally to rise as soon as called,
and receive the verdict of the jury. The Captain, _Pedro Gilbert_, was
the first named. He arose, raised his hand, and regarded the jury with a
firm countenance and steady eye.

_Clerk_. Jurors look upon the prisoner; prisoner look upon the jurors.
How say you, Gentlemen, is the prisoner at the bar, Pedro Gilbert,
guilty or not guilty?

_Foreman_. GUILTY.

The same verdict was pronounced against _De Soto_ (the mate) _Ruiz_,
(the carpenter,) _Boyga, Castillo, Garcia_ and _Montenegro_. But
_Costa_, (the cabin-boy,) _Ferrer_ (the negro,) _Guzman, Portana_, and
_Velasquez_, were declared NOT GUILTY.

After having declared the verdict of the Jury, the Foreman read to the
Court the following recommendation to mercy:

"The sympathies of the Jury have been strongly moved in behalf of
_Bernardo de Soto_, on account of his generous, noble and
self-sacrificing conduct in saving the lives of more than 70 human
beings, constituting the passengers and crew of the ship _Minerva_; and
they desire that his case should be presented to the merciful
consideration of the Government."

Judge Story replied that the wish of the jury would certainly be
complied with both by the Court and the prosecuting officer.

"The appearance and demeanor of Captain Gilbert are the same as when we
first saw him; his eye is undimmed, and decision and command yet sit
upon his features. We did not discern the slightest alteration of color
or countenance when the verdict of the jury was communicated to him; he
merely slightly bowed and resumed his seat. With _De Soto_ the case was
different. He is much altered; has become thinner, and his countenance
this morning was expressive of the deepest despondency. When informed
of the contents of the paper read by the foreman of the jury, he
appeared much affected, and while being removed from the Court, covered
his face with his handkerchief."

Immediately after the delivery of the verdict, the acquitted prisoners,
on motion of Mr. Hillard, were directed to be discharged, upon which
several of the others loudly and angrily expressed their dissatisfaction
at the result of the trial. Castillo (_a half-caste_, with an extremely
mild and pleasing countenance,) pointed towards heaven, and called upon
the Almighty to bear witness that he was innocent; _Ruiz_ uttered some
words with great vehemence; and _Garcia_ said "all were in the same
ship; and it was strange that some should be permitted to escape while
others were punished." Most of them on leaving the Court uttered some
invective against "the _picaro_ who had sworn their lives away."

On _Costa_, the cabin boy, (aged 16) being declared "Not Guilty" some
degree of approbation was manifested by the audience, but instantly
checked by the judge, who directed the officers to take into custody,
every one expressing either assent or dissent. We certainly think the
sympathy expressed in favor of _Costa_ very ill placed, for although we
have not deemed ourselves at liberty to mention the fact earlier, his
conduct during the whole trial was characterized by the most reckless
effrontery and indecorum. Even when standing up to receive the verdict
of the jury, his face bore an impudent smile, and he evinced the most
total disregard of the mercy which had been extended towards him.

About this time vague rumors reached Corunna, that a Captain belonging
to that place, engaged in the Slave Trade, had turned Pirate, been
captured, and sent to America with his crew for punishment. Report at
first fixed it upon a noted slave-dealer, named Begaro. But the
astounding intelligence soon reached Senora de Soto, that her husband
was the person captured for this startling crime. The shock to her
feelings was terrible, but her love and fortitude surmounted them all;
and she determined to brave the terrors of the ocean, to intercede for
her husband if condemned, and at all events behold him once more. A
small schooner was freighted by her own and husband's father, and in it
she embarked for New-York. After a boisterous passage, the vessel
reached that port, when she learned her husband had already been tried
and condemned to die. The humane people of New-York advised her to
hasten on to Washington, and plead with the President for a pardon. On
arriving at the capital, she solicited an interview with General
Jackson, which was readily granted. From the circumstance of her
husband's having saved the lives of seventy Americans, a merciful ear
was turned to her solicitations, and a pardon for De Soto was given her,
with which she hastened to Boston, and communicated to him the joyful
intelligence.

Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of America, to all to
whom these presents shall come, _Greeting_: Whereas, at the October
Term, 1834, of the Circuit Court of the United States, Bernardo de Soto
was convicted of Piracy, and sentenced to be hung on the 11th day of
March last from which sentence a respite was granted him for three
months, bearing date the third day of March, 1835, also a subsequent
one, dated on the fifth day of June, 1835, for sixty days. And whereas
the said Bernardo de Soto has been represented as a fit subject for
executive clemency--

Now therefore, I, Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of
America, in consideration of the premises, divers good and sufficient
causes me thereto moving, have pardoned, and hereby do pardon the said
Bernardo de Soto, from and after the 11th August next, and direct that
he be then discharged from confinement. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the United States to
be affixed to these presents. Done at the City of Washington the sixth
day of July, AD. 1835, and of the independence of the United States and
sixtieth. Andrew Jackson.

On the fatal morning of June 11th, 1835, Don Pedro, Juan Montenegro,
Manuel Castillo, Angel Garcia and Manuel Boyga, were, agreeably to
sentence, summoned to prepare for immediate execution. On the night
previous, a mutual agreement had been entered into to commit suicide.
Angel Garcia made the first attempt by trying to open the veins of each
arm with a piece of glass; but was prevented. In the morning, however,
while preparations were making for the execution, Boyga succeeded in
inflicting a deep gash on the left side of his neck, with a piece of
tin. The officer's eyes had been withdrawn from him scarcely a minute,
before he was discovered lying on his pallet, with a convulsive motion
of his knees, from loss of blood. Medical aid was at hand, the gash
sewed up, but he did not revive. Two Catholic clergymen attended them on
the scaffold, one a Spanish priest. They were executed in the rear of
the jail. When the procession arrived at the foot of the ladder leading
up to the platform of the gallows the Rev. Mr. Varella looking directly
at Capt. Gilbert, said, "Spaniards, ascend to heaven." Don Pedro mounted
with a quick step, and was followed by his comrades at a more moderate
pace, but without the least hesitation. Boyga, unconscious of his
situation and destiny, was carried up in a chair, and seated beneath the
rope prepared for him. Gilbert, Montenegro, Garcia and Castillo all
smiled subduedly as they took their stations on the platform. Soon after
Capt. Gilbert ascended the scaffold, he passed over to where the
apparently lifeless Boyga was seated in the chair, and kissed him.
Addressing his followers, he said, "Boys, we are going to die; but let
us be firm, for we are innocent." To Mr. Peyton, the interpreter, he
said, "I die innocent, but I'll die like a noble Spaniard. Good bye,
brother." The Marshal having read the warrant for their execution, and
stated that de Soto was respited _sixty_ and Ruiz _thirty_ days, the
ropes were adjusted round the necks of the prisoners, and a slight
hectic flush spread over the countenance of each; but not an eye
quailed, nor a limb trembled, not a muscle quivered. The fatal cord was
now cut, and the platform fell, by which the prisoners were launched
into eternity. After the execution was over, Ruiz, who was confined in
his cell, attracted considerable attention, by his maniac shouts and
singing. At one time holding up a piece of blanket, stained with Boyga's
blood, he gave utterance to his ravings in a sort of recitative, the
burden of which was--"This is the red flag my companions died under!"

After the expiration of Ruiz' second respite, the Marshal got two
surgeons of the United States Navy, who understood the Spanish language,
to attend him in his cell; they, after a patient examination pronounced
his madness a counterfeit, and his insanity a hoax. Accordingly, on the
morning of Sept. 11th, the Marshal, in company with a Catholic priest
and interpreter entered his cell, and made him sensible that longer
evasion of the sentence of the law was impossible, and that he must
surely die. They informed him that he had but half an hour to live, and
retired; when he requested that he might not be disturbed during the
brief space that remained to him, and turning his back to the open
entrance to his cell, he unrolled some fragments of printed prayers, and
commenced reading them to himself. During this interval he neither
spoke, nor heeded those who were watching him; but undoubtedly suffered
extreme mental agony. At one minute he would drop his chin on his bosom,
and stand motionless; at another would press his brow to the wall of his
cell, or wave his body from side to side, as if wrung with unutterable
anguish. Suddenly, he would throw himself upon his knees on the
mattress, and prostrate himself as if in prayer; then throwing his
prayers from him, he would clutch his rug in his fingers, and like a
child try to double it up, or pick it to pieces. After snatching up his
rug and throwing it away again and again, he would suddenly resume his
prayers and erect posture, and stand mute, gazing through the aperture
that admitted the light of day for upwards of a minute. This scene of
imbecility and indecision, of horrible prostration of mind, ceasing in
some degree when the Catholic clergyman re-entered his cell.

At 10 o'clock, the prisoner was removed from the prison, and during his
progress to the scaffold, though the hue of death was on his face, and
he trembled in every joint with fear, he chaunted with a powerful voice
an appropriate service from the Catholic ritual. Several times he turned
round to survey the heavens which at that moment were clear and bright
above him and when he ascended the scaffold after concluding his prayer,
he took one long and steadfast look at the sun, and waited in silence
his fate. His powers, mental and physical had been suddenly crushed with
the appalling reality that surrounded him; his whole soul was absorbed
with one master feeling, the dread of a speedy and violent death. He
quailed in the presence of the dreadful paraphernalia of his punishment,
as much as if he had been a stranger to deeds of blood, and never dealt
death to his fellow man as he ploughed the deep, under the black flag of
piracy, with the motto of "Rob, Kill, and Burn." After adjusting the
rope, a signal was given. The body dropped heavily, and the harsh abrupt
shock must have instantly deprived him of sensation, as there was no
voluntary action of the hands afterwards. Thus terminated his career of
crime in a foreign land without one friend to recognize or cheer him, or
a single being to regret his death.

The Spanish Consul having requested that the bodies might not be given
to the faculty, they were interred at night under the direction of the
Marshal, in the Catholic burial-ground at Charlestown. There being no
murder committed with the piracy, the laws of the United States do not
authorize the court to order the bodies for dissection.

[Illustration: _Ruiz leaving the Panda._]




THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO THE PIRATE OF THE MORNING STAR.


The following narrative of the career of a desperate pirate who was
executed in Gibraltar in the month of January, 1830, is one of two
letters from the pen of the author of "the Military Sketch-Book." The
writer says Benito de Soto "had been a prisoner in the garrison for
nineteen months, during which time the British Government spared neither
the pains not expense to establish a full train of evidence against him.
The affair had caused the greatest excitement here, as well as at Cadiz,
owing to the development of the atrocities which marked the character of
this man, and the diabolical gang of which he was the leader. Nothing
else is talked of; and a thousand horrors are added to his guilt, which,
although he was guilty enough, he has no right to bear. The following is
all the authentic information I could collect concerning him. I have
drawn it from his trial, from the confession of his accomplices, from
the keeper of his prison, and not a little from his own lips. It will be
found more interesting than all the tales and sketches furnished in the
'Annuals,' magazines, and other vehicles of invention, from the simple
fact--that it is truth and not fiction."

Benito de Soto was a native of a small village near Courna; he was bred
a mariner, and was in the guiltless exercise of his calling at Buenos
Ayres, in the year 1827. A vessel was there being fitted out for a
voyage to the coast of Africa, for the smuggling of slaves; and as she
required a strong crew, a great number of sailors were engaged, amongst
whom was Soto. The Portuguese of South America have yet a privilege of
dealing in slaves on a certain part of the African coast, but it was the
intention of the captain of this vessel to exceed the limits of his
trade, and to run farther down, so as to take his cargo of human beings
from a part of the country which was proscribed, in the certainty of
being there enabled to purchase slaves at a much lower rate than he
could in the regular way; or, perhaps, to take away by force as many as
he could stow away into his ship. He therefore required a considerable
number of hands for the enterprise; and in such a traffic, it may be
easily conceived, that the morals of the crew could not be a subject of
much consideration with the employer. French, Spanish, Portuguese, and
others, were entered on board, most of them renegadoes, and they set
sail on their evil voyage, with every hope of infamous success.

Those who deal in evil carry along with them the springs of their own
destruction, upon which they will tread, in spite of every caution, and
their imagined security is but the brink of the pit into which they are
to fall. It was so with the captain of this slave-ship. He arrived in
Africa, took in a considerable number of slaves, and in order to
complete his cargo, went on shore, leaving his mate in charge of the
vessel. This mate was a bold, wicked, reckless and ungovernable spirit,
and perceiving in Benito de Soto a mind congenial with his own, he fixed
on him as a fit person to join in a design he had conceived, of running
away with the vessel, and becoming a pirate. Accordingly the mate
proposed his plan to Soto, who not only agreed to join in it, but
declared that he himself had been contemplating a similar enterprise
during the voyage. They both were at once of a mind, and they lost no
time in maturing their plot.

Their first step was to break the matter to the other members of the
crew. In this they proceeded cautiously, and succeeded so far as to
gain over twenty-two of the whole, leaving eighteen who remained
faithful to their trust. Every means were used to corrupt the well
disposed; both persuasion and threats were resorted to, but without
effect, and the leader of the conspiracy, the mate, began to despair of
obtaining the desired object. Soto, however, was not so easily
depressed. He at once decided on seizing the ship upon the strength of
his party: and without consulting the mate, he collected all the arms of
the vessel, called the conspirators together, put into each of their
possession a cutlass and a brace of pistols, and arming himself in like
manner, advanced at the head of the gang, drew his sword, and declared
the mate to be the commander of the ship, and the men who joined him
part owners. Still, those who had rejected the evil offer remained
unmoved; on which Soto ordered out the boats, and pointing to the land,
cried out, "There is the African coast; this is our ship--one or the
other must be chosen by every man on board within five minutes."

This declaration, although it had the effect of preventing any
resistance that might have been offered by the well disposed, to the
taking of the vessel, did not change them from their purpose; they still
refused to join in the robbery, and entered one by one into the boat, at
the orders of Soto, and with but one pair of oars (all that was allowed
to them) put off for the shore, from which they were then ten miles
distant. Had the weather continued calm, as it was when the boat left
the ship, she would have made the shore by dusk; but unhappily a strong
gale of wind set in shortly after her departure, and she was seen by
Soto and his gang struggling with the billows and approaching night, at
such a distance from the land as she could not possibly accomplish while
the gale lasted. All on board the ship agreed in opinion that the boat
could not live, as they flew away from her at the rate of ten knots an
hour, under close reefed topsails, leaving their unhappy messmates to
their inevitable fate. Those of the pirates who were lately executed at
Cadiz, declared that every soul in the boat perished.

[Illustration: _The Pirates carrying rum on shore to purchase slaves._]

The drunken uproar which that night reigned in the pirate ship was in
horrid unison with the raging elements around her; contention and
quarrelling followed the brutal ebriety of the pirates; each evil spirit
sought the mastery of the others, and Soto's, which was the fiend of
all, began to grasp and grapple for its proper place--the head of such a
diabolical community.

The mate (now the chief) at once gave the reins to his ruffian tyranny;
and the keen eye of Soto saw that he who had fawned with him the day
before, would next day rule him with an iron rod. Prompt in his actions
as he was penetrating in his judgment, he had no sooner conceived a
jealousy of the leader than he determined to put him aside; and as his
rival lay in his drunken sleep, Soto put a pistol to his head, and
deliberately shot him. For this act he excused himself to the crew, by
stating to them that it was in _their_ protection he did the act; that
_their_ interest was the other's death; and concluded by declaring
himself their leader, and promising a golden harvest to their future
labors, provided they obeyed him. Soto succeeded to the height of his
wishes, and was unanimously hailed by the crew as their captain.

On board the vessel, as I before stated, were a number of slaves, and
these the pirates had well secured under hatches. They now turned their
attention to those half starved, half suffocated creatures;--some were
for throwing them overboard, while others, not less cruel, but more
desirous of gain, proposed to take them to some port in one of those
countries that deal in human beings, and there sell them. The latter
recommendation was adopted, and Soto steered for the West Indies, where
he received a good price for his slaves. One of those wretched
creatures, a boy, he reserved as a servant for himself; and this boy was
destined by Providence to be the witness of the punishment of those
white men who tore away from their homes himself and his brethren. He
alone will carry back to his country the truth of Heaven's retribution,
and heal the wounded feelings of broken kindred with the recital of it.

The pirates now entered freely into their villainous pursuit, and
plundered many vessels; amongst others was an American brig, the
treatment of which forms the _chef d'oeuvre_ of their atrocity. Having
taken out of this brig all the valuables they could find, they hatched
down all hands to the hold, except a black man, who was allowed to
remain on deck for the special purpose of affording in his torture an
amusing exhibition to Soto and his gang. They set fire to the brig, then
lay to, to observe the progress of the flames; and as the miserable
African bounded from rope to rope, now climbing to the mast head--now
clinging to the shrouds--now leaping to one part of the vessel, and now
to another,--their enjoyment seemed raised to its heighest pitch. At
length the hatches opened to the devouring element, the tortured victim
of their fiendish cruelty fell exhausted into the flames, and the horrid
and revolting scene closed amidst the shouts of the miscreants who had
caused it.

Of their other exploits, that which ranks next in turpitude, and which
led to their overthrow, was the piracy of the Morning Star. They fell in
with that vessel near the island Ascension, in the year 1828, as she was
on her voyage from Ceylon to England. This vessel, besides a valuable
cargo, had on board several passengers, consisting of a major and his
wife, an assistant surgeon, two civilians, about five and twenty invalid
soldiers, and three or four of their wives. As soon as Benito de Soto
perceived the ship, which was at daylight on the 21st of February, he
called up all hands, and prepared for attacking her; he was at the time
steering on an opposite course to that of the Morning Star. On
reconnoitring her, he at first supposed she was a French vessel; but
Barbazan, one of his crew, who was himself a Frenchman, assured him the
ship was British. "So much the better," exclaimed Soto, in English (for
he could speak that language), "we shall find the more booty." He then
ordered the sails to be squared, and ran before the wind in chase of his
plunder, from which he was about two leagues distant.

The Defensor de Pedro, the name of the pirate ship, was a fast sailer,
but owing to the press of canvas which the Morning Star hoisted soon
after the pirate had commenced the chase, he did not come up with her so
quickly as he had expected: the delay caused great uneasiness to Soto,
which he manifested by muttering curses, and restlessness of manner.
Sounds of savage satisfaction were to be heard from every mouth but his
at the prospect; he alone expressed his anticipated pleasure by oaths,
menaces, and mental inquietude. While Barbazan was employed in
superintending the clearing of the decks, the arming and breakfasting of
the men, he walked rapidly up and down, revolving in his mind the plan
of the approaching attack, and when interrupted by any of the crew, he
would run into a volley of imprecations. In one instance, he struck his
black boy a violent blow with a telescope, because he asked him if he
would have his morning cup of chocolate; as soon, however, as he set his
studding sails, and perceived that he was gaining on the Morning Star,
he became somewhat tranquil, began to eat heartily of cold beef, drank
his chocolate at a draught, and coolly sat down on the deck to smoke a
cigar.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the pirate had gained considerable on
the other vessel. Soto now, without rising from where he sat, ordered a
gun, with blank cartridge, to be fired, and the British colors to be
hoisted: but finding this measure had not the effect of bringing the
Morning Star to, he cried out, "Shot the long gun and give it her point
blank." The order was obeyed, but the shot fell short of the intention,
on which he jumped up and cursed the fellows for bunglers who had fired
the gun. He then ordered them to load with canister shot, and took the
match in his own hand. He did not, however, fire immediately, but waited
until he was nearly abreast of his victim; then directing the aim
himself, and ordering a man to stand by the flag to haul it down, fired
with an air that showed he was sure of his mark. He then ran to haul up
the Colombian colors, and having done so, cried out through the speaking
trumpet, "Lower your boat down this moment, and let your captain come on
board with his papers."

During this fearful chase the people on board the Morning Star were in
the greatest alarm; but however their apprehensions might have been
excited, that courage, which is so characteristic of a British sailor,
never for a moment forsook the captain. He boldly carried on sail, and
although one of the men fell from a wound, and the ravages of the shot
were every where around him, he determined not to strike. But unhappily
he had not a single gun on board, and no small arms that could render
his courage availing. The tears of the women, and the prudent advice of
the passengers overcoming his resolution, he permitted himself to be
guided by the general opinion. One of the passengers volunteered himself
to go on board the pirate, and a boat was lowered for the purpose. Both
vessels now lay to within fifty yards of each other, and a strong hope
arose in those on board the Morning Star, that the gentleman who had
volunteered to go to the pirate, might, through his exertions, avert, at
least, the worst of the dreaded calamity.

Some people here, in their quiet security, have made no scruple of
declaring, that the commanding officer of the soldiers on board should
not have so tamely yielded to the pirate, particularly as he had his
wife along with him, and consequently a misfortune to dread, that might
be thought even worse than death: but all who knew the true state of the
circumstances, and reflect upon it, will allow that he adopted the only
chance of escaping that, which was to be most feared by a husband. The
long gun, which was on a pivot in the centre of the pirate ship, could
in a few shots sink the Morning Star; and even had resistance been made
to the pirates as they boarded her--had they been killed or made
prisoners--the result would not be much better. It was evident that the
Defensor de Pedro was the best sailer, consequently the Morning Star
could not hope to escape; in fact, submission or total destruction was
the only choice. The commanding officer, therefore, acted for the best
when he recommended the former. There was some slight hope of escaping
with life, and without personal abuse, by surrendering, but to contend
must be inevitable death.

The gentleman who had gone in a boat to the pirate returned in a short
time, exhibiting every proof of the ill treatment he had received from
Soto and his crew. It appears that when the villains learned that he was
not the captain, they fell upon and beat him, as well as the sailors
along with him, in a most brutal manner, and with the most horrid
imprecations told him, that if the captain did not instantly come, on
his return to the vessel, they would blow the ship out of the water.
This report as once decided the captain in the way he was to act.
Without hesitation he stepped into the boat, taking with him his second
mate, three soldiers and a sailor boy, and proceeded to the pirate. On
going on board that vessel, along with the mate, Soto, who stood near
the mainmast, with his drawn cutlass in his hand, desired him to
approach, while the mate was ordered, by Barbazan, to go to the
forecastle. Both these unfortunate individuals obeyed, and were
instantly slaughtered.

Soto now ordered six picked men to descend into the boat, amongst whom
was Barbazan. To him the leader addressed his orders, the last of which
was, to take care to put all in the prize to death, and then sink her.

The six pirates, who proceeded to execute his savage demand, were all
armed alike,--they each carried a brace of pistols, a cutlass and a long
knife. Their dress was composed of a sort of coarse cotton chequered
jacket and trowsers, shirts that were open at the collar, red woollen
caps, and broad canvas waistbelts, in which were the pistols and the
knives. They were all athletic men, and seemed such as might well be
trusted with the sanguinary errand on which they were despatched. While
the boat was conveying them, Soto held in his hand a cutlass, reddened
with the blood of the murdered captain, and stood scowling on them with
silence: while another ruffian, with a lighted match, stood by the long
gun, ready to support the boarding, if necessary, with a shot that
would sweep the deck.

As the boarders approached the Morning Star, the terror of the females
became excessive; they clung to their husbands in despair, who
endeavored to allay their fears by their own vain hopes, assuring them
that a quiet submission nothing more than the plunder of the vessel was
to be apprehended. But a few minutes miserably undeceived them. The
pirates rapidly mounted the side, and as they jumped on deck, commenced
to cut right and left at all within their reach, uttering at the same
time the most dreadful oaths. The females, screaming, hurried to hide
themselves below as well as they were able, and the men fell or fled
before the pirates, leaving them entire masters of the decks.

[Illustration: _The mate begging for his life._]

When the pirates had succeeded in effectually prostrating all the people
on deck, they drove most of them below, and reserved the remainder to
assist in their operations. Unless the circumstances be closely
examined, it may be wondered how six men could have so easily overcome a
crew of English seamen supported by about twenty soldiers with a major
at their head:--but it will not appear so surprising, when it is
considered that the sailors were altogether unarmed, the soldiers were
worn out invalids, and more particularly, that the pirate carried a
heavy long gun, ready to sink her victim at a shot. Major Logie was
fully impressed with the folly of opposing so powerful and desperate an
enemy, and therefore advised submission as the only course for the
safety of those under his charge; presuming no doubt that something like
humanity might be found in the breasts even of the worst of men. But
alas! he was woefully deceived in his estimate of the villains' nature,
and felt, when too late, that even death would have been preferable to
the barbarous treatment he was forced to endure.

Beaten, bleeding, terrified, the men lay huddled together in the hold,
while the pirates proceeded in their work of pillage and brutality.
Every trunk was hauled forth, every portable article of value heaped for
the plunder; money, plate, charts, nautical instruments, and seven
parcels of valuable jewels, which formed part of the cargo; these were
carried from below on the backs of those men whom the pirates selected
to assist them, and for two hours they were thus employed, during which
time Soto stood upon his own deck directing the operations; for the
vessels were within a hundred yards of each other. The scene which took
place in the cabin exhibited a licentious brutality. The sick officer,
Mr. Gibson, was dragged from his berth; the clothes of the other
passengers stripped from their backs, and the whole of the cabin
passengers driven on deck, except the females, whom they locked up in
the round-house on deck, and the steward, who was detained to serve the
pirates with wine and eatables. This treatment, no doubt hastened the
death of Gibson; the unfortunate gentleman did not long survive it. As
the passengers were forced up the cabin ladder, the feelings of Major
Logie, it may be imagined, were of the most heart-rending description.
In vain did he entreat to be allowed to remain; he was hurried away from
even the chance of protecting his defenceless wife, and battened down
with the rest in the hold, there to be racked with the fearful
apprehensions of their almost certain doom.

The labors of the robbers being now concluded, they sat down to regale
themselves, preparatory to the _chef d'oeuvre_ of their diabolical
enterprise; and a more terrible group of demi-devils, the steward
declares, could not be well imagined than commanded his attention at the
cabin table. However, as he was a Frenchman, and naturally polite, he
acquitted himself of the office of cup-bearer, if not as gracefully, at
least as anxiously, as ever did Ganymede herself. Yet, notwithstanding
this readiness to serve the visitors in their gastronomic desires, the
poor steward felt ill-requited; he was twice frightened into an icicle,
and twice thawed back into conscious horror, by the rudeness of those he
entertained. In one instance, when he had filled out a sparkling glass
for a ruffian, and believed he had quite won the heart of the drinker by
the act, he found himself grasped roughly and tightly by the throat, and
the point of a knife staring him in the face. It seems the fellow who
thus seized him, had felt between his teeth a sharp bit of broken glass,
and fancying that something had been put in the wine to poison him, he
determined to prove his suspicions by making the steward swallow what
remained in the bottle from which the liquor had been drawn, and thus
unceremoniously prefaced his command; however, ready and implicit
obedience averted further bad consequences. The other instance of the
steward's jeopardy was this; when the repast was ended, one of the
gentlemen coolly requested him to waive all delicacy, and point out the
place in which the captain's money was concealed. He might as well have
asked him to produce the philosopher's stone. However, pleading the
truth was of no use; his determined requisitor seconded the demand by
snapping a pistol at his breast; having missed fire, he recocked, and
again presented; but the fatal weapon was struck aside by Barbazan, who
reproved the rashness with a threat, and thus averted the steward's
impending fate. It was then with feelings of satisfaction he heard
himself ordered to go down to the hold, and in a moment he was bolted in
among his fellow sufferers.

The ruffians indulged in the pleasures of the bottle for some time
longer, and then having ordered down the females, treated them with even
less humanity than characterized their conduct towards the others. The
screams of the helpless females were heard in the hold by those who were
unable to render them assistance, and agonizing, indeed, must those
screams have been to their incarcerated hearers! How far the brutality
of the pirates was carried in this stage of the horrid proceeding, we
can only surmise; fortunately, their lives were spared, although, as it
afterwards appeared, the orders of Soto were to butcher every being on
board; and it is thought that these orders were not put into action, in
consequence of the villains having wasted so much time in drinking, and
otherwise indulging themselves; for it was not until the loud voice of
their chief was heard to recall them, that they prepared to leave the
ship; they therefore contented themselves with fastening the women
within the cabin, heaping heavy lumber on the hatches of the hold, and
boring holes in the planks of the vessel below the surface of the water,
so that in destroying the unhappy people at one swoop, they might make
up for the lost time. They then left the ship, sinking fast to her
apparently certain fate.

[Illustration: _Horrid abuse of the helpless women in the cabin._]

It may be reasonably supposed, bad as their conduct was towards the
females, and pitiable as was the suffering it produced, that the lives
of the whole left to perish were preserved through it; for the ship must
have gone down if the women had been either taken out of her or
murdered, and those in the hold inevitably have gone with her to the
bottom. But by good fortune, the females succeeded in forcing their way
out of the cabin, and became the means of liberating the men confined in
the hold. When they came on deck, it was nearly dark, yet they could see
the pirate ship at a considerable distance, with all her sails set and
bearing away from them. They prudently waited, concealed from the
possibility of being seen by the enemy, and when the night fell, they
crept to the hatchway, and called out to the men below to endeavor to
effect their liberation, informing them that the pirate was away and out
of sight. They then united their efforts, and the lumber being removed,
the hatches gave way to the force below, so that the released captives
breathed of hope again. The delightful draught, however, was checked,
when the ship was found to contain six feet of water! A momentary
collapse took possession of all their newly excited expectations; cries
and groans of despair burst forth, but the sailors' energy quickly
returned, and was followed by that of the others; they set to work at
the pumps, and by dint of labor succeeded in keeping the vessel afloat.
Yet to direct her course was impossible; the pirates having completely
disabled her, by cutting away her rigging and sawing the masts all the
way through. The eye of Providence, however, was not averted from the
hapless people, for they fell in with a vessel next day that relieved
them from their distressing situation, and brought them to England in
safety.

We will now return to Soto, and show how the hand of that Providence
that secured his intended victims, fell upon himself and his wicked
associates. Intoxicated with their infamous success, the night had far
advanced before Soto learned that the people in the Morning Star,
instead of being slaughtered, were only left to be drowned. The
information excited his utmost rage. He reproached Barbazan, and those
who had accompanied them in the boarding, with disobeying his orders,
and declared that now there could be no security for their lives. Late
as the hour was, and long as he had been steering away from the Morning
Star, he determined to put back, in the hope of effectually preventing
the escape of those in the devoted vessel, by seeing them destroyed
before his eyes. Soto was a follower of the principle inculcated by the
old maxim, "Dead men tell no tales;" and in pursuance of his doctrine,
lost not a moment in putting about and running back. But it was too
late; he could find no trace of the vessel, and so consoled himself with
the belief that she was at the bottom of the sea, many fathoms below the
ken and cognizance of Admiralty Courts.

Soto, thus satisfied, bent his course to Europe. On his voyage he fell
in with a small brig, boarded, plundered, sunk her, and, that he might
not again run the hazard of encountering living witnesses of his guilt,
murdered the crew, with the exception of one individual, whom he took
along with him, on account of his knowledge of the course to Corunna,
whither he intended to proceed. But, faithful to his principles of
self-protection, as soon as he had made full use of the unfortunate
sailor, and found himself in sight of the destined port, he came up to
him at the helm, which he held in his hand, "My friend," said he "is
that the harbor of Corunna?"--"Yes," was the reply. "Then," rejoined
Soto, "You have done your duty well, and I am obliged to you for your
services." On the instant he drew a pistol and shot the man; then coolly
flung his body overboard, took the helm himself, and steered into his
native harbor as little concerned as if he had returned from an honest
voyage. At this port he obtained papers in a false name, disposed of a
great part of his booty, and after a short stay set out for Cadiz, where
he expected a market for the remainder. He had a fair wind until he came
within sight of the coast near that city. It was coming on dark and he
lay to, expecting to go into his anchorage next morning, but the wind
shifted to the westward, and suddenly began to blow a heavy gale; it was
right on the land. He luffed his ship as close to the wind as possible,
in order to clear a point that stretched outward, and beat off to
windward, but his lee-way carried him towards the land, and he was
caught when he least expected the trap. The gale increased--the night
grew pitchy dark--the roaring breakers were on his lee-beam--the
drifting vessel strikes, rebounds, and strikes again--the cry of horror
rings through the flapping cordage, and despair is in the eyes of the
demon-crew. Helpless they lie amid the wrath of the storm, and the
darkened face of Heaven, for the first time, strikes terror on their
guilty hearts. Death is before them, but not with a merciful quickness
does he approach; hour after hour the frightful vision glares upon them,
and at length disappears only to come upon them again in a more dreadful
form. The tempest abates, and the sinners were spared for the time.

As the daylight broke they took to their boats, and abandoned the vessel
to preserve their lives. But there was no repentance in the pirates;
along with the night and the winds went the voice of conscience, and
they thought no more of what had passed. They stood upon the beach
gazing at the wreck, and the first thought of Soto, was to sell it, and
purchase another vessel for the renewal of his atrocious pursuits. With
the marked decision of his character, he proposed his intention to his
followers, and received their full approbation. The plan was instantly
arranged; they were to present themselves as honest, shipwrecked
mariners to the authorities at Cadiz; Soto was to take upon himself the
office of mate, or _contra maestra,_ to an imaginary captain, and thus
obtain their sanction in disposing of the vessel. In their assumed
character, the whole proceeded to Cadiz, and presented themselves before
the proper officers of the marine. Their story was listened to with
sympathy, and for a few days every thing went on to their satisfaction.
Soto had succeeded so well as to conclude the sale of the wreck with a
broker, for the sum of one thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars; the
contract was signed, but fortunately the money was not yet paid, when
suspicion arose, from some inconsistencies in the pirates' account of
themselves, and six of them were arrested by the authorities. Soto and
one of his crew instantly disappeared from Cadiz, and succeeded in
arriving at the neutral ground before Gibraltar, and six more made their
escape to the Carraccas.

None are permitted to enter the fortress of Gibraltar, without
permission from the governor, or a passport. Soto and his companion,
therefore, took up their quarters at a Posade on the neutral ground, and
resided there in security for several days. The busy and daring mind of
the former could not long remain inactive; he proposed to his companion
to attempt to enter the garrison in disguise and by stealth, but could
not prevail upon him to consent. He therefore resolved to go in alone;
and his object in doing so was to procure a supply of money by a letter
of credit which he brought with him from Cadiz. His companion, more wise
than he, chose the safer course; he knew that the neutral ground was not
much controllable by the laws either of the Spanish or the English, and
although there was not much probability of being discovered, he resolved
not to trust to chance in so great a stake as his life; and he proved to
have been right in his judgment, for had he gone to Gibraltar, he would
have shared the same fate of his chief. This man is the only one of the
whole gang, who has not met with the punishment of his crimes, for he
succeeded in effecting his escape on board some vessel. It is not even
suspected to what country he is gone; but his description, no doubt, is
registered. The steward of the Morning Star informed me, that he is a
tall, stout man, with fair hair, and fresh complexion, of a mild and
gentle countenance, but that he was one of the worst villains of the
whole piratical crew. I believe he is stated to be a Frenchman.

Soto secured his admission into the garrison by a false pass, and took
up his residence at an inferior tavern in a narrow lane, which runs off
the main street of Gibraltar, and is kept by a man of the name of Basso.
The appearance of this house suits well with the associations of the
worthy Benito's life. I have occasion to pass the door frequently at
night, for our barrack, (the Casement,) is but a few yards from it. I
never look at the place without feeling an involuntary sensation of
horror--the smoky and dirty nooks--the distant groups of dark Spaniards,
Moors, and Jews, their sallow countenances made yellow by the fight of
dim oil lamps--the unceiled rafters of the rooms above, seen through
unshuttered windows and the consciousness of their having covered the
atrocious Soto, combine this effect upon me.

In this den the villain remained for a few weeks, and during this time
seemed to enjoy himself as if he had never committed a murder. The story
he told Basso of his circumstances was, that he had come to Gibraltar on
his way to Cadiz from Malaga, and was merely awaiting the arrival of a
friend. He dressed expensively--generally wore a white hat of the best
English quality, silk stockings, white trowsers, and blue frock coat.
His whiskers were large and bushy, and his hair, which was very black,
profuse, long and naturally curled, was much in the style of a London
preacher of prophetic and anti-poetic notoriety. He was deeply browned
with the sun, and had an air and gait expressive of his bold,
enterprising, and desperate mind. Indeed, when I saw him in his cell and
at his trial, although his frame was attenuated almost to a skeleton,
the color of his face a pale yellow, his eyes sunken, and hair closely
shorn; he still exhibited strong traces of what he had been, still
retained his erect and fearless carriage, his quick, fiery, and
malevolent eye, his hurried and concise speech, and his close and
pertinent style of remark. He appeared to me such a man as would have
made a hero in the ranks of his country, had circumstances placed him in
the proper road to fame; but ignorance and poverty turned into the most
ferocious robber, one who might have rendered service and been an honor
to his sunken country. I should like to hear what the phrenologists say
of his head; it appeared to me to be the most peculiar I had ever seen,
and certainly, as far as the bump of _destructiveness_ went, bore the
theory fully out. It is rumored here that the skull has been sent to the
_savans_ of Edinburg; if this be the case, we shall no doubt be made
acquainted with their sage opinions upon the subject, and great
conquerors will receive a farther assurance of how much they resemble in
their physical natures the greatest murderers.

When I visited the pirate in the Moorish castle where he was confined,
he was sitting in his cold, narrow, and miserable cell, upon a pallet of
straw, eating his coarse meal from a tin plate. I thought him more an
object of pity than vengeance; he looked so worn with disease, so
crushed with suffering, yet so affable, frank, and kind in his address;
for he happened to be in a communicative mood, a thing that was by no
means common with him. He spoke of his long confinement, till I thought
the tears were about to start from his eyes, and alluded to his
approaching trial with satisfaction; but his predominant characteristic,
ferocity, appeared in his small piercing black eyes before I left him,
as he alluded to his keeper, the Provost, in such a way that made me
suspect his desire for blood was not yet extinguished. When he appeared
in court on his trial, his demeanor was quite altered; he seemed to me
to have suddenly risen out of the wretch he was in his cell, to all the
qualities I had heard of him; he stood erect and unembarrassed; he spoke
with a strong voice, attended closely to the proceedings, occasionally
examined the witnesses, and at the conclusion protested against the
justice of his trial. He sometimes spoke to the guards around him, and
sometimes affected an air of carelessness of his awful situation, which,
however, did not sit easy upon him. Even here the leading trait of his
mind broke forth; for when the interpreter commenced his office, the
language which he made use of being pedantic and affected, Soto
interrupted him thus, while a scowl sat upon his brow that terrified the
man of words: "I don't understand you, man; speak Spanish like others,
and I'll listen to you." When the dirk that belonged to Mr. Robertson,
the trunk and clothes taken from Mr. Gibson, and the pocket book
containing the ill-fated captain's handwriting were placed before him,
and proved to have been found in his room, and when the maid servant of
the tavern proved that she found the dirk under his pillow every morning
on arranging his bed; and when he was confronted with his own black
slave, between two wax lights, the countenance of the villain appeared
in its true nature, not depressed nor sorrowful, but vivid and
ferocious; and when the patient and dignified governor, Sir George Don,
passed the just sentence of the law upon him, he looked daggers at his
heart, and assumed a horrid silence, more eloquent than words.

The criminal persisted up to the day before his execution in asserting
his innocence, and inveighing against the injustice of his trial, but
the certainty of his fate, and the awful voice of religion, at length
subdued him. He made an unreserved confession of his guilt, and became
truly penitent; gave up to the keeper the blade of a razor which he had
secreted between the soles of his shoes for the acknowledged purpose of
adding suicide to his crimes, and seemed to wish for the moment that was
to send him before his Creator.

I witnessed his execution, and I believe there never was a more contrite
man than he appeared to be; yet there were no drivelling fears upon
him--he walked firmly at the tail of the fatal cart, gazing sometimes at
his coffin, sometimes at the crucifix which he held in his hand. The
symbol of divinity he frequently pressed to his lips, repeated the
prayers spoken in his ear by the attendant clergyman, and seemed
regardless of every thing but the world to come. The gallows was erected
beside the water, and fronting the neutral ground. He mounted the cart
as firmly as he had walked behind it, and held up his face to Heaven and
the beating rain, calm, resigned, but unshaken; and finding the halter
too high for his neck, he boldly stepped upon his coffin, and placed his
head in the noose, then watching the first turn of the wheels, he
murmured "_adios todos_," [Footnote: "Farewell, all."] and leaned
forward to facilitate his fall.

The black slave of the pirate stood upon the battery trembling before
his dying master to behold the awful termination of a series of events,
the recital of which to his African countrymen, when he shall return to
his home, will give them no doubt, a dreadful picture of European
civilization. The black boy was acquitted at Cadiz, but the men who had
fled to the Carraccas, as well as those arrested after the wreck, were
convicted, executed, their limbs severed, and hung on tenter hooks, as a
warning to all pirates.

[Illustration: _The Rock of Gibraltar._]




THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ROBERT KIDD


The easy access to the harbor of New-York, the number of hiding-places
about its waters, and the laxity of its newly organized government,
about the year 1695, made it a great rendezvous of pirates, where they
might dispose of their booty and concert new depredations. As they
brought home with them wealthy lading of all kinds, the luxuries of the
tropics, and the sumptuous spoils of the Spanish provinces, and disposed
of them with the proverbial carelessness of freebooters, they were
welcome visitors to the thrifty traders of New-York. Crews of these
desperadoes, therefore, the runagates of every country and every clime,
might be seen swaggering in open day about the streets, elbowing its
quiet inhabitants, trafficking their rich outlandish plunder at half or
quarter price to the wary merchant; and then squandering their
prize-money in taverns, drinking, gambling, singing, carousing and
astounding the neighborhood with midnight brawl and revelry. At length
these excesses rose to such a height as to become a scandal to the
provinces, and to call loudly for the interposition of government.
Measures were accordingly taken to put a stop to this widely extended
evil, and to drive the pirates out of the colonies.

Among the distinguished individuals who lurked about the colonies, was
Captain Robert Kidd, [Footnote: His real name was William Kidd.] who in
the beginning of King William's war, commanded a privateer in the West
Indies, and by his several adventurous actions, acquired the reputation
of a brave man, as well as an experienced seaman. But he had now become
notorious, as a nondescript animal of the ocean. He was somewhat of a
trader, something more of a smuggler, but mostly a pirate. He had traded
many years among the pirates, in a little rakish vessel, that could run
into all kinds of water. He knew all their haunts and lurking places,
and was always hooking about on mysterious voyages.

Upon the good old maxim of "setting a rogue to catch a rogue," Capt.
Kidd was recommended by the Lord Bellamont, then governor of Barbadoes,
as well as by several other persons, to the government here, as a person
very fit to be entrusted to the command of a government ship, and to be
employed in cruising upon the pirates, as knowing those seas perfectly
well, and being acquainted with all their lurking places; but what
reasons governed the politics of those times, I cannot tell, but this
proposal met with no encouragement here, though it is certain it would
have been of great consequence to the subject, our merchants suffering
incredible damages by those robbers.

Upon this neglect, the lord Bellamont and some others, who knew what
great captures had been made by the pirates, and what a prodigious
wealth must be in their possession, were tempted to fit out a ship at
their own private charge, and to give the command of her to Captain
Kidd; and to give the thing a greater reputation, as well as to keep
their seamen under better command, they procured the king's commission
for the said Capt. Kidd, of which the following is an exact copy:

_William Rex_,

"WILLIAM THE THIRD, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. To our trusty and well
beloved Capt. ROBERT KIDD, commander of the ship the Adventure galley,
or to any other, the commander of the same for the time being,
_Greeting_: Whereas we are informed, that Capt. Thomas Too, John
Ireland, Capt. Thomas Wake, and Capt. William Maze or Mace, and other
subjects, natives or inhabitants of New-York, and elsewhere, in our
plantations in America, have associated themselves with divers others,
wicked and ill-disposed persons, and do, against the law of nations,
commit many and great piracies, robberies and depredations on the seas
upon the parts of America, and in other parts, to the great hindrance
and discouragement of trade and navigation, and to the great danger and
hurt of our loving subjects, our allies, and all others, navigating the
seas upon their lawful occasions. Now KNOW YE, that we being desirous to
prevent the aforesaid mischiefs, and as much as in us lies, to bring the
said pirates, free-booters and sea-rovers to justice, have thought fit,
and do hereby give and grant to the said Robert Kidd, (to whom our
commissioners for exercising the office of Lord High Admiral of England,
have granted a commission as a private man-of-war, bearing date the 11th
day of December, 1695,) and unto the commander of the said ship for the
time being, and unto the officers, mariners, and others which shall be
under your command, full power and authority to apprehend, seize, and
take into your custody as well the said Capt. Thomas Too, John Ireland,
Capt. Thomas Wake, and Capt. Wm. Maze or Mace, as all such pirates,
free-booters, and sea-rovers, being either our subjects, or of other
nations associated with them, which you shall meet with upon the seas or
coasts of America, or upon any other seas or coasts, with all their
ships and vessels, and all such merchandizes, money, goods, and wares as
shall be found on board, or with them, in case they shall willingly
yield themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting, then you
are by force to compel them to yield. And we also require you to bring,
or cause to be brought, such pirates, free-booters, or sea-rovers, as
you shall seize, to a legal trial, to the end they may be proceeded
against according to the law in such cases. And we do hereby command
all our officers, ministers, and other our loving subjects whatsoever,
to be aiding and assisting to you in the premises. And we do hereby
enjoin you to keep an exact journal of your proceedings in execution of
the premises, and set down the names of such pirates, and of their
officers and company, and the names of such ships and vessels as you
shall by virtue of these presents take and seize, and the quantities of
arms, ammunition, provision, and lading of such ships, and the true
value of the same, as near as you judge. And we do hereby strictly
charge and command you, as you will answer the contrary at your peril,
that you do not, in any manner, offend or molest our friends or allies,
their ships or subjects, by colour or pretence of these presents, or the
authority thereby granted. _In witness whereof_, we have caused our
great seal of England to be affixed to these presents. Given at our
court in Kensington, the 26th day of January, 1695, in the 7th year of
our reign."

Capt. Kidd had also another commission, which was called a commission of
reprisals; for it being then war time, this commission was to justify
him in the taking of French merchant ships, in case he should meet with
any; but as this commission is nothing to our present purpose, we shall
not burthen the reader with it.

Previous to sailing, Capt. Kidd buried his bible on the sea-shore, in
Plymouth Sound; its divine precepts being so at variance with his wicked
course of life, that he did not choose to keep a book which condemned
him in his lawless career.

With these two commissions he sailed out of Plymouth in May, 1696, in
the Adventure galley, of 30 guns, and 80 men; the place he first
designed for was New-York; in his voyage thither, he took a French
banker, but this was no act of piracy, he having a commission for that
purpose, as we have just observed.

When he arrived at New-York, he put up articles for engaging more hands,
it being necessary to his ship's crew, since he proposed to deal with a
desperate enemy. The terms he offered, were, that every man should have
a share of what was taken, reserving for himself and owners forty
shares. Upon which encouragement he soon increased his company to 155
men.

[Illustration _Captain Kidd burying his Bible._]

With this company he sailed first for Madeira, where he took in wine and
some other necessaries; from thence he proceeded to Bonavista, one of
the Cape de Verd Islands, to furnish the ship with salt, and from thence
went immediately to St. Jago, another of the Cape de Verd Islands, in
order to stock himself with provisions. When all this was done, he bent
his course to Madagascar, the known rendezvous of pirates. In his way he
fell in with Capt. Warren, commodore of three men of war; he acquainted
him with his design, kept them company two or three days, and then
leaving them, made the best of his way for Madagascar, where he arrived
in February, 1696, just nine months from his departure from Plymouth.

It happened that at this time the pirate ships were most of them out in
search of prey; so that according to the best intelligence Capt. Kidd
could get, there was not one of them at that time about the island;
wherefore, having spent some time in watering his ship and taking in
more provisions, he thought of trying his fortune on the coast of
Malabar, where he arrived in the month of June following, four months
from his reaching Madagascar. Hereabouts he made an unsuccessful cruise,
touching sometimes at the island of Mohila, and sometimes at that of
Johanna, between Malabar and Madagascar. His provisions were every day
wasting, and his ship began to want repair; wherefore, when he was at
Johanna, he found means of borrowing a sum of money from some Frenchmen
who had lost their ship, but saved their effects, and with this he
purchased materials for putting his ship in good repair.

It does not appear all this while that he had the least design of
turning pirate; for near Mohila and Johanna both, he met with several
Indian ships richly laden, to which he did not offer the least violence,
though he was strong enough to have done what he pleased with them; and
the first outrage or depredation I find he committed upon mankind, was
after his repairing his ship, and leaving Johanna; he touched at a place
called Mabbee, upon the Red Sea, where he took some Guinea corn from the
natives, by force. After this, he sailed to Bab's Key, a place upon a
little island at the entrance of the Red Sea. Here it was that he first
began to open himself to his ship's company, and let them understand
that he intended to change his measures; for, happening to talk of the
Mocha fleet, which was to sail that way, he said, "_We have been
unsuccessful hitherto; but courage, my boys, we'll make our fortunes out
of this fleet_"; and finding that none of them appeared averse to it, he
ordered a boat out, well manned, to go upon the coast to make
discoveries, commanding them to take a prisoner and bring him to him, or
get intelligence any way they could. The boat returned in a few days,
bringing him word, that they saw fourteen or fifteen ships ready to
sail, some with English, some with Dutch, and some with Moorish colors.

We cannot account for this sudden change in his conduct, otherwise than
by supposing that he first meant well, while he had hopes of making his
fortune by taking of pirates; but now weary of ill success, and fearing
lest his owners, out of humor at their great expenses, should dismiss
him, and he should want employment, and be marked out for an unlucky
man; rather, I say, than run the hazard of poverty, he resolved to do
his business one way, since he could not do it another.

He therefore ordered a man continually to watch at the mast head, lest
this fleet should go by them; and about four days after, towards
evening, it appeared in sight, being convoyed by one English and one
Dutch man of war. Kidd soon fell in with them, and getting into the
midst of them, fired at a Moorish ship which was next him; but the
men-of-war taking the alarm, bore down upon Kidd, and firing upon him,
obliged him to sheer off, he not being strong enough to contend with
them. Now he had begun hostilities, he resolved to go on, and therefore
he went and cruised 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 Englishman; his
name was Parker. Kidd forced him and a Portuguese that was called Don
Antonio, which were all the Europeans on board, to take on with him; the
first he designed 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 drubbed with a naked cutlass, 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 touched at Carawar, a place upon the same coast,
where, before he arrived, the news of what he had done to the Moorish
ship had reached 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 Kidd came in, he was suspected to be the person
who committed this piracy; and one Mr. Harvey and Mr. Mason, two of the
English factory, came on board and asked for Parker, and Antonio, the
Portuguese; but Kidd denied that he knew any such persons, having
secured them both in a private place in the hold, where they were kept
for seven or eight days, that is, till Kidd sailed from thence.

However, the coast was alarmed, and a Portuguese man-of-war was sent out
to cruise. Kidd 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
called Porca, where he watered his 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 Dutchman, called Schipper Mitchell, and chased her under French
colors, which they observing hoisted French colors too; when he came
up with her, he hailed her in French, and they having a Frenchman on
board, answered him in the same language; upon which he ordered them to
send their boat on board; they were obliged to do so, and having
examined who they were, and from whence they came, he asked the
Frenchman who was a passenger, if he had a French pass for himself; the
Frenchman gave him to understand that he had. Then he told the Frenchman
that he must pass for captain, and by----, says he, you are the captain;
the Frenchman 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 belonged to French subjects, according to a commission he had for
that purpose; though one would think, after what he had already done, he
need not have recourse to a quibble to give his actions a color.

[Illustration: _Captain Kidd attacks the Moorish fleet._]

In short, he took the cargo, and sold it some time after; yet still he
seemed to have some fears upon him, lest these proceedings should have a
bad end; for, coming up with a Dutch ship some time after, when his men
thought of nothing but attacking her, Kidd opposed 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 grounded against
Kidd; for Moor, the gunner, being one day upon deck, and talking with
Kidd about the said Dutch ship, some words arose between them, and Moor
told Kidd, that he had ruined them all; upon which Kidd, calling him a
dog, took up a bucket and struck him with it, which breaking his scull,
he died next day.

But Kidd's penitential fit did not last long; for coasting along
Malabar, he met with a great number of boats, all of which he
plundered. Upon the same coast he also fell in with 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 murdered by the natives;
upon which Kidd 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
Englishman, by the name of Wright; for the Indians often make use of
English or Dutchmen to command their ships, their own mariners not being
so good artists in navigation. Kidd chased her under French colors, and
having come up with her, he ordered her to hoist out her boat and 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 cargo. Kidd gave the Armenians to understand, that if they would
offer anything that was worth his taking for their ransom, he would
hearken to it. Upon which, they proposed to pay him 20,000 rupees, not
quite £3,000 sterling; but Kidd 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 cargo as came
to 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 cargo, and when the division was made, it came to
about £200 a man; and having reserved forty shares to himself, his
dividend amounted to about £8,000 sterling.

The Indians along the coast came on board and trafficked 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 pirates, they always
found them men of honor in the way of trade; a people, enemies to
deceit, and that scorned to rob but in their own way.

Kidd put some of his men on board the Queda Merchant, and with this ship
and his own sailed for Madagascar. As soon as he had arrived and cast
anchor, there came on board of him a canoe, in which were several
Englishmen, who had formerly been well acquainted with Kidd. 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. Kidd 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 belonged to a pirate ship, called the Resolution, formerly the
Mocha Merchant, whereof one Capt. Culliford was commander, and which lay
at anchor not far from them. Kidd went on board with them, promising
them his friendship and assistance, and Culliford in his turn came on
board of Kidd; and Kidd, 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 sea again.

The Adventure galley was now so old and leaky, that they were forced to
keep two pumps continually going; wherefore Kidd 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 Capt. Culliford, and
others absconding into the country, so that he had not above 40 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 reached
England, and that he was there declared a pirate.

The truth of it is, his piracies so alarmed our merchants that some
motions were made in parliament, to inquire into the commission that was
given him, and the persons who fitted him out. These proceedings seem to
lean a little hard upon Lord Bellamont, who thought himself so touched
thereby, that he published a justification of himself in a pamphlet,
after Kidd's execution. In the meantime it was thought advisable, in
order to stop the course of these piracies, 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 Cormorin; in which
proclamation, Avery and Kidd were excepted by name.

When Kidd 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, as 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 sailed directly for Boston laden with booty, with a crew of
swaggering companions at his heels. But no sooner did he show himself in
Boston, than the alarm was given of his reappearance, and measures were
taken to arrest him. The daring character which Kidd had acquired,
however, and the desperate fellows who followed like bull-dogs at his
heels, caused a little delay in his arrest. He took advantage of this to
bury the greater part of his immense treasure, which has never been
found, and then carried a high head about the streets of Boston. He even
attempted to defend himself when arrested, but was secured and thrown
into prison. Such was the formidable character of this pirate and his
crew, that a frigate was sent to convey them to England for trial.

Accordingly a sessions of Admiralty being held at the Old Bailey, in May
1701, Capt. Kidd, Nicholas Churchill, James How, Robert Lumly, William
Jenkins, Gabriel Loff, Hugh Parrot, Richard Barlicorn, Abel Owens and
Darby Mullins, were arraigned for piracy and robbery on the high seas,
and all found guilty except three; these were Robert Lumly, 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.

The three above mentioned, though they were proved to be concerned 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 piracy. A pirate 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 pirate, 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_.

Kidd 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 Col. Bass, governor of West
Jersey, to whom they surrendered, being in court, and called upon,
proved the same. However, this plea was overruled by the court, because
there being four commissioners named in the proclamation, viz. Capt.
Thomas Warren, Israel Hayes, Peter Delannoye, and Christopher Pollard,
Esquires, who were appointed commissioners, and sent over on purpose to
receive the submissions of such pirates as should surrender, it was
adjudged no other person was qualified to receive their surrender, and
that they could not be entitled to the benefit of the said proclamation,
because they had not in all circumstances complied with the conditions
of it.

Darby Mullins urged in his defence, that he served 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 commission, 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 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 seemed to be the best defence the thing could bear; but his taking
a share of the plunder, the seamen's mutinying on board several times,
and taking upon them to control the captain, showed there was no
obedience paid to the commission; and that they acted in all things
according to the custom of pirates and freebooters, which weighing with
the jury, they brought him in guilty with the rest.

As to Capt. Kidd's defence, he insisted much on his own innocence, and
the villainy 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 pleased; that
he was threatened to be shot in the 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
condemned, 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 Kidd'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, proved of no manner of
service to the prisoner on his trial.

[Illustration: _Captain Kidd hanging in chains._]

As to the friendship shown to Culliford, a notorious pirate, Kidd
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 Kidd 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 and wicked people_. And when sentence was
pronounced, he said, _My Lord, it is a very hard sentence. For my part,
I am the most innocent person of them all, only I have been sworn
against by perjured persons_.

Wherefore about a week after, Capt. Kidd, 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.

Kidd died hard, for the rope with which he was first tied up broke with
his weight and he tumbled to the ground. He was tied up a second time,
and more effectually. Hence came the story of Kidd's being twice hung.

Such is Captain Kidd's true history; but it has given birth to an
innumerable progeny of traditions. The report of his having buried great
treasures of gold and silver which he actually did before his arrest,
set the brains of all the good people along the coast in a ferment.
There were rumors on rumors of great sums of money found here and there,
sometimes in one part of the country sometimes in another; of coins with
Moorish inscriptions, doubtless the spoils of his eastern prizes.

Some reported the treasure to have been buried in solitary, unsettled
places about Plymouth and Cape Cod; but by degrees, various other parts,
not only on the eastern coast but along the shores of the Sound, and
even Manhattan and Long Island were gilded by these rumors. In fact the
vigorous measures of Lord Bellamont had spread sudden consternation
among the pirates in every part of the provinces; they had secreted
their money and jewels in lonely out-of-the-way places, about the wild
shores of the sea coast, and dispersed themselves over the country. The
hand of justice prevented many of them from ever returning to regain
their buried treasures, which remain to this day thus secreted, and are
irrecoverably lost. This is the cause of those frequent reports of trees
and rocks bearing mysterious marks, supposed to indicate the spots where
treasure lay hidden; and many have been the ransackings after the
pirates' booty. A rocky place on the shores of Long Island, called
Kidd's Ledge, has received great attention from the money diggers; but
they have not as yet discovered any treasures.



THE BLOODY CAREER AND EXECUTION OF VINCENT BENAVIDES A
PIRATE ON THE WEST COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA.


Vincent Benavides was the son of the gaoler of Quirihue in the district
of Conception. He was a man of ferocious manners, and had been guilty of
several murders. Upon the breaking out of the revolutionary war, he
entered the patriot army as a private soldier; and was a serjeant of
grenadiers at the time of the first Chilian revolution. He, however,
deserted to the Spaniards, and was taken prisoner in their service, when
they sustained, on the plains of Maypo, on the 5th of April, 1818, that
defeat which decided their fortunes in that part of America, and secured
the independence of Chili. Benavides, his brother, and some other
traitors to the Chilian cause, were sentenced to death, and brought
forth in the Plaza, or public square of Santiago, in order to be shot.
Benavides, though terribly wounded by the discharge, was not killed; but
he had the presence of mind to counterfeit death in so perfect a manner,
that the imposture was not suspected. The bodies of the traitors were
not buried, but dragged away to a distance, and there left to be
devoured by the gallinazos or vultures. The serjeant who had the
superintendence of this part of the ceremony, had a personal hatred to
Benavides, on account of that person having murdered some of his
relations; and, to gratify his revenge, he drew his sword, and gave the
dead body, (as he thought,) a severe gash in the side, as they were
dragging it along. The resolute Benavides had fortitude to bear this
also, without flinching or even showing the least indication of life;
and one cannot help regretting that so determined a power of endurance
had not been turned to a better purpose.

Benavides lay like a dead man, in the heap of carcasses, until it became
dark; and then, pierced with shot, and gashed by the sword as he was, he
crawled to a neighboring cottage, the inhabitants of which received him
with the greatest kindness, and attended him with the greatest care.

The daring ruffian, who knew the value of his own talents and courage,
being aware that General San Martin was planning the expedition to Peru,
a service in which there would be much of desperation and danger, sent
word to the General that he was alive, and invited him to a secret
conference at midnight, in the same Plaza in which it was believed
Benavides had been shot. The signal agreed upon, was, that they should
strike fire three times with their flints, as that was not likely to be
answered by any but the proper party, and yet was not calculated to
awaken suspicion.

San Martin, alone, and provided with a brace of pistols, met the
desperado; and after a long conference, it was agreed that Benavides
should, in the mean time, go out against the Araucan Indians; but that
he should hold himself in readiness to proceed to Peru, when the
expedition suited.

Having procured the requisite passports, he proceeded to Chili, where,
having again diverted the Chilians, he succeeded in persuading the
commander of the Spanish troops, that he had force sufficient to carry
on the war against Chili; and the commander in consequence retired to
Valdivia, and left Benavides commander of the whole frontier on the
Biobio.

Having thus cleared the coast of the Spanish commander, he went over to
the Araucans, or rather, he formed a band of armed robbers, who
committed every cruelty, and were guilty of every perfidy in the south
of Chili. Whereever Benavides came, his footsteps were marked with
blood, and the old men, the women, and the children, were butchered lest
they should give notice of his motions.

When he had rendered himself formidable by land, he resolved to be
equally powerful upon the sea. He equipped a corsair, with instructions
to capture the vessels of all nations; and as Araucan is directly
opposite the island of Santa Maria, where vessels put in for
refreshment, after having doubled Cape Horn, his situation was well
adapted for his purpose. He was but too successful. The first of his
prizes was the American ship Hero, which he took by surprise in the
night; the second, was the Herculia, a brig belonging to the same
country. While the unconscious crew were proceeding, as usual, to catch
seals on this island, lying about three leagues from the main land of
Arauca, an armed body of men rushed from the woods, and overpowering
them, tied their hands behind them, and left them under a guard on the
beach. These were no other than the pirates, who now took the Herculia's
own boats, and going on board, surprised the captain and four of his
crew, who had remained to take care of the brig; and having brought off
the prisoners from the beach, threw them all into the hold, closing the
hatches over them. They then tripped the vessel's anchor, and sailing
over in triumph to Arauca, were received by Benavides, with a salute of
musketry fired under the Spanish flag, which it was their chief's
pleasure to hoist on that day. In the course of the next night,
Benavides ordered the captain and his crew to be removed to a house on
shore, at some distance from the town; then taking them out, one by one,
he stripped and pillaged them of all they possessed, threatening them
the whole time with drawn swords and loaded muskets. Next morning he
paid the prisoners a visit and ordered them to the capital, called
together the principal people of the town, and desired each to select
one as a servant. The captain and four others not happening to please
the fancy of any one, Benavides, after saying he would himself take
charge of the captain, gave directions, on pain of instant death, that
some one should hold themselves responsible for the other prisoners.
Some days after this they were called together, and required to serve as
soldiers in the pirates army; an order to which they consented, knowing
well by what they had already seen, that the consequence of refusal
would be fatal.

Benavides, though unquestionably a ferocious savage, was, nevertheless,
a man of resource, full of activity, and of considerable energy of
character. He converted the whale spears and harpoons into lances for
his cavalry, and halberts for his sergeants; and out of the sails he
made trowsers for half of his army; the carpenters he set to work making
baggage carts and repairing his boats; the armourers he kept perpetually
at work, mending muskets, and making pikes; managing in this way, to
turn the skill of every one of his prisoners to some useful account. He
treated the officers, too, not unkindly, allowed them to live in his
house, and was very anxious on all occasions, to have their advice
respecting the equipment of his troops.

Upon one occasion, when walking with the captain of the Herculia, he
remarked, that his army was now almost complete in every respect, except
in one essential particular, and it cut him, he said to the soul, to
think of such a deficiency; he had no trumpets for his cavalry, and
added, that it was utterly impossible to make the fellows believe
themselves dragoons, unless they heard a blast in their ears at every
turn; and neither men nor horses would ever do their duty properly, if
not roused to it by the sound of a trumpet; in short he declared, some
device must be hit upon to supply this equipment. The captain, willing
to ingratiate himself with the pirate, after a little reflection,
suggested to him, that trumpets might easily be made of copper sheets on
the bottoms of the vessels he had taken. "Very true," cried the
delighted chief, "how came I not to think of that before?" Instantly
all hands were employed in ripping off the copper, and the armourers
being set to work under his personal superintendence, the whole camp,
before night, resounded with the warlike blasts of the cavalry.

The captain of the ship, who had given him the brilliant idea of the
copper trumpets, had by these means, so far won upon his good will and
confidence, as to be allowed a considerable range to walk on. He of
course, was always looking out for some plan of escape, and at length an
opportunity occurring, he, with the mate of the Ocean, and nine of his
crew, seized two whale boats, imprudently left on the banks of the
river, and rowed off. Before quitting the shore, they took the
precaution of staving all the other boats, to prevent pursuit, and
accordingly, though their escape was immediately discovered, they
succeeded in getting so much the start of the people whom Benavides sent
in pursuit of them, that they reached St. Mary's Island in safety. Here
they caught several seals upon which they subsisted very miserably till
they reached Valparaiso. It was in consequence of their report of
Benavides proceedings made to Sir Thomas Hardy, the commander-in-chief,
that he deemed it proper to send a ship to rescue if possible, the
remaining unfortunate captives at Arauca.

Benavides having manned the Herculia, it suited the mate, (the captain
and crew being detained as hostages,) to sail with the brig to Chili,
and seek aid from the Spanish governor. The Herculia returned with a
twenty-four pounder, two field-pieces, eleven Spanish officers, and
twenty soldiers, together with the most flattering letters and
congratulations to the worthy ally of his Most Catholic Majesty. Soon
after this he captured the Perseverance, English whaler, and the
American brig Ocean, bound for Lima, with several thousand stand of arms
on board. The captain of the Herculia, with the mate of the Ocean, and
several men, after suffering great hardships, landed at Valparaiso, and
gave notice of the proceedings of Benavides; and in consequence, Sir
Thomas Hardy directed Captain Hall to proceed to Arauca with the convoy,
to set the captives free, if possible.

It was for the accomplishment of this service that Capt. Hall sailed
from Valparaiso; and he called at Conception on his way, in order to
glean information respecting the pirate. Here the Captain ascertained
that Benavides was between two considerable bodies of Chilian force, on
the Chilian side of the Biobio, and one of those bodies between him and
the river.

Having to wait two days at Conception for information, Captain Hall
occupied them in observing the place; the country he describes as green
and fertile, and having none of the dry and desert character of the
environs of Valparaiso. Abundance of vegetables, wood, and also coals,
are found on the shores of the bay.

On the 12th of October, the captain heard of the defeat of Benavides,
and his flight, alone, across the Biobio into the Araucan country; and
also that two of the Americans whom he had taken with him had made their
escape, and were on board the Chacabuco. As these were the only persons
who could give Captain Hall information respecting the prisoners of whom
he was in quest, he set out in search of the vessel, and after two days'
search, found her at anchor near the island of Mocha. From thence he
learned that the captain of the Ocean, with several English and American
seamen had been left at Arauca, when Benavides went on his expedition,
and he sailed for that place immediately.

He was too late, however; the Chilian forces had already made a
successful attack, and the Indians had fled, setting fire to the town
and the ships. The Indians, who were in league with the Chilians, were
every way as wild as those who arrayed themselves under Benavides. Capt.
Hall, upon his return to Conception, though dissuaded from it by the
governor, visited the Indian encampment.

When the captain and his associates entered the courtyard, they observed
a party seated on the ground, round a great tub of wine, who hailed
their entrance with loud shouts, or rather yells, and boisterously
demanded their business; to all appearance very little pleased with the
interruption. The interpreter became alarmed, and wished them to retire;
but this the captain thought imprudent, as each man had his long spear
close at hand, resting against the eaves of the house. Had they
attempted to escape they must have been taken, and possibly sacrificed,
by these drunken savages. As their best chance seemed to lie in treating
them without any show of distrust, they advanced to the circle with a
good humored confidence, which appeased them considerably. One of the
party rose and embraced them in the Indian fashion, which they had
learned from the gentlemen who had been prisoners with Benavides. After
this ceremony they roared out to them to sit down on the ground, and
with the most boisterous hospitality, insisted on their drinking with
them; a request which they cheerfully complied with. Their anger soon
vanished, and was succeeded by mirth and satisfaction, which speedily
became as outrageous as their displeasure had been at first. Seizing a
favorable opportunity, Captain Hall stated his wish to have an interview
with their chief, upon which a message was sent to him; but he did not
think fit to show himself for a considerable time, during which they
remained with the party round the tub, who continued swilling their wine
like so many hogs. Their heads soon became affected, and their
obstreperous mirth increasing every minute, the situation of the
strangers became by no means agreeable.

At length Peneleo's door opened, and the chief made his appearance; he
did not condescend, however, to cross the threshold, but leaned against
the door post to prevent falling, being by some degrees more drunk than
any of his people. A more finished picture of a savage cannot be
conceived. He was a tall, broad shouldered man; with a prodigiously
large head, and a square-shaped bloated face, from which peeped out two
very small eyes, partly hid by an immense superfluity of black, coarse,
oily, straight hair, covering his cheeks, hanging over his shoulders,
and rendering his head somewhat the shape and size of a bee-hive. Over
his shoulders was thrown a poncho of coarse blanket stuff. He received
them very gruffly, and appeared irritated and sulky at having been
disturbed; he was still more offended when he learned that they wished
to see his captive. They in vain endeavored to explain their real views;
but he grunted out his answer in a tone and manner which showed them
plainly that he neither did, nor wished to understand them.

Whilst in conversation with Peneleo, they stole an occasional glance at
his apartment. By the side of the fire burning in the middle of the
floor, was seated a young Indian woman, with long black hair reaching to
the ground; this, they conceived, could be no other than one of the
unfortunate persons they were in search of; and they were somewhat
disappointed to observe, that the lady was neither in tears, nor
apparently very miserable; they therefore came away impressed with the
unsentimental idea, that the amiable Peneleo had already made some
impression on her young heart.

Two Indians, who were not so drunk as the rest, followed them to the
outside of the court, and told them that several foreigners had been
taken by the Chilians in the battle near Chilian, and were now safe. The
interpreter hinted to them that this was probably invented by these
cunning people, on hearing their questions in the court; but he advised
them, as a matter of policy, to give them each a piece of money, and to
get away as far as they could.

Captain Hall returned to Conception on the 23d of October, reached
Valparaiso on the 26th, and in two weeks thereafter, the men of whom he
was in search, made their appearance.

The bloody career of Benavides now drew near to a close. The defeat on
the Chilian side of the Biobio, and the burning of Arauca with the loss
of his vessels, he never recovered. At length, in the end of December
1821, discovering the miserable state to which he was reduced, he
entreated the Intendant of Conception, that he might be received on
giving himself up along with his partisans. This generous chief accepted
his offer, and informed the supreme government; but in the meantime
Benavides embarked in a launch, at the mouth of the river Lebo, and
fled, with the intention of joining a division of the enemy's army,
which he supposed to be at some one of the ports on the south coast of
Peru. It was indeed absurd to expect any good faith from such an
intriguer; for in his letters at this time, he offered his services to
Chili and promised fidelity, while his real intention was still to
follow the enemy. He finally left the unhappy province of Conception,
the theatre of so many miserable scenes, overwhelmed with the misery
which he had caused, without ever recollecting that it was in that
province that he had first drawn his breath.

His despair in the boat made his conduct insupportable to those who
accompanied him, and they rejoiced when they were obliged to put into
the harbor of Topocalma in search of water of which they had run short.
He was now arrested by some patriotic individuals. From the notorious
nature of his crimes, alone, even the most impartial stranger would have
condemned him to the last punishment; but the supreme government wished
to hear what he had to say for himself, and ordered him to be tried
according to the laws. It appearing on his trial that he had placed
himself beyond the laws of society, such punishment was awarded him as
any one of his crimes deserved. As a pirate, he merited death, and as a
destroyer of whole towns, it became necessary to put him to death in
such a manner as might satisfy outraged humanity, and terrify others who
should dare to imitate him. In pursuance of the sentence passed upon
him, he was dragged from the prison in a pannier tied to the tail of a
mule, and was hanged in the great square; his head and hands were
afterwards cut off, in order to their being placed upon high poles, to
point out the places of his horrid crimes, Santa Juona, Tarpellanca and
Arauca.

[Illustration: _The head of Benavides stuck on a pole._]

[Illustration]




THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN DAVIS


_With an account of his surprising the Fort at Gambia_.

Davis was born in Monmouthshire, and, from a boy, trained to the sea.
His last voyage from England was in the sloop Cadogan from Bristol, in
the character of chief mate. This vessel was captured by the pirate
England, upon the Guinea coast, whose companions plundered the crew, and
murdered the captain, as is related in England's life.

Upon the death of Captain Skinner, Davis pretended that he was urged by
England to become a pirate, but that he resolutely refused. He added,
that England, pleased with his conduct, had made him captain in room of
Skinner, giving him a sealed paper, which he was not to open until he
was in a certain latitude, and then expressly to follow the given
directions. When he arrived in the appointed place, he collected the
whole crew, and solemnly read his sealed instructions, which contained a
generous grant of the ship and all her stores to Davis and his crew,
requesting them to go to Brazil, and dispose of the cargo to the best
advantage, and make an equal division of the money.

Davis then commanded the crew to signify whether they were inclined to
follow that mode of life, when, to his astonishment and chagrin, the
majority positively refused. Then, in a transport of rage, he desired
them to go where they would.

Knowing that part of the cargo was consigned to merchants in Barbadoes,
they directed their course to that place. When arrived there, they
informed the merchants of the unfortunate death of Skinner, and of the
proposal which had been made to them. Davis was accordingly seized, and
committed to prison, but he having never been in the pirate service,
nothing could be proved to condemn him, and he was discharged without a
trial. Convinced that he could never hope for employment in that quarter
after this detection, he went to the island of Providence, which he knew
to be a rendezvous for pirates. Upon his arrival there, he was
grievously disappointed, because the pirates who frequented that place
had just accepted of his majesty's pardon, and had surrendered.

Captain Rogers having equipped two sloops for trade, Davis obtained
employment in one of these, called the Buck. They were laden with
European goods to a considerable value, which they were to sell or
exchange with the French and Spanish. They first touched at the island
of Martinique, belonging to the French, and Davis knowing that many of
the men were formerly in the pirate service, enticed them to seize the
master, and to run off with the sloop. When they had effected their
purpose, they hailed the other ship, in which they knew that there were
many hands ripe for rebellion, and coming to, the greater part joined
Davis. Those who did not choose to adhere to them were allowed to remain
in the other sloop, and continue their course, after Davis had pillaged
her of what things he pleased.

In full possession of the vessel and stores and goods, a large bowl of
punch was made; under its exhilarating influence, it was proposed to
choose a commander, and to form their future mode of policy. The
election was soon over, and a large majority of legal votes were in
favor of Davis, and no scrutiny demanded, Davis was declared duly
elected. He then drew up a code of laws, to which he himself swore, and
required the same bond of alliance from all the rest of the crew. He
then addressed them in a short and appropriate speech, the substance of
which was, a proclamation of war with the whole world.

They next consulted, what part would be most convenient to clean the
vessel, and it was resolved to repair to Coxon's Hole, at the east end
of the island of Cuba, where they could remain in perfect security, as
the entrance was so narrow that one ship could keep out a hundred.

They, however, had no small difficulty in cleaning their vessel, as
there was no carpenter among them. They performed that laborious task in
the best manner they could, and then made to the north side of
Hispaniola. The first sail they met with was a French ship of twelve
guns, which they captured; and while they were plundering her, another
appeared in view. Enquiring of the Frenchmen, they learned that she was
a ship of twenty-four guns and sixty men. Davis proposed to his crew to
attack her, assuring them that she would prove a rich prize. This
appeared to the crew such a hazardous enterprise, that they were rather
adverse to the measure. But he acquainted them that he had conceived a
stratagem that he was confident would succeed; they might, therefore,
safely leave the matter to his management. He then commenced chase, and
ordered his prize to do the same. Being a better sailer, he soon came up
with the enemy, and showed his black colors. With no small surprise at
his insolence in coming so near them, they commanded him to strike. He
replied, that he was disposed to give them employment until his
companion came up, who was able to contend with them; meanwhile assuring
them that, if they did not strike to him, it would most certainly fare
the worse for them: then giving them a broadside, he received the same
in return.

When the other pirate ship drew near, they, according to the directions
of Davis, appeared upon deck in white shirts, which making an appearance
of numbers, the Frenchman was intimidated, and struck. Davis ordered
the captain with twenty of his men to come on board, and they were all
put in irons except the captain. He then despatched four of his men to
the other ship, and calling aloud to them, desired that his compliments
should be given to the captain, with a request to send a sufficient
number of hands to go on board their new prize, to see what they had got
in her. At the same time, he gave them a written paper with their proper
instructions, even to nail up the small guns, to take out all the arms
and powder, and to go every man on board the new prize. When his men
were on board her, he ordered the greater part of the prisoners to be
removed into the empty vessels, and by this means secured himself from
any attempt to recover their ship.

During three days, these three vessels sailed in company, but finding
that his late prize was a heavy sailer, he emptied her of everything
that he stood in need of, and then restored her to the captain with all
his men. The French captain was so much enraged at being thus miserably
deceived, that, upon the discovery of the stratagem, he would have
thrown himself overboard, had not his men prevented him.

Captain Davis then formed the resolution of parting with the other
prize-ship also, and soon afterwards steered northward, and took a
Spanish sloop. He next directed his course towards the western islands,
and from Cape de Verd islands cast anchor at St. Nicholas, and hoisted
English colors. The Portuguese supposed that he was a privateer, and
Davis going on shore was hospitably received, and they traded with him
for such articles as they found most advantageous. He remained here five
weeks, and he and half of his crew visited the principal town of the
island. Davis, from his appearing in the dress of a gentleman, was
greatly caressed by the Portuguese, and nothing was spared to entertain
and render him and his men happy. Having amused themselves during a
week, they returned to the ship, and allowed the other half of the crew
to visit the capital, and enjoy themselves in like manner. Upon their
return, they cleaned their ship and put to sea, but four of the men were
so captivated with the ladies and the luxuries of the place, that they
remained in the island, and one of them married and settled there.

Davis now sailed for Bonavista, and perceiving nothing in that harbor
steered for the Isle of May. Arrived there, he found several vessels in
the harbor, and plundered them of whatever he found necessary. He also
received a considerable reinforcement of men, the greater part of whom
entered willingly into the piratical service. He likewise made free with
one of the ships, equipped her for his own purpose, and called her the
King James. Davis next proceeded to St. Jago to take in water. Davis,
with some others going on shore to seek water, the governor came to
inquire who they were, and expressed his suspicion of their being
pirates. Upon this, Davis seemed highly affronted, and expressed his
displeasure in the most polite but determined manner. He, however,
hastened on board, informed his men, and suggested the possibility of
surprising the fort during the night. Accordingly, all his men being
well armed, they advanced to the assault; and, from the carelessness of
the guards, they were in the garrison before the inhabitants were
alarmed. Upon the discovery of their danger, they took shelter in the
governor's house, and fortified it against the pirates: but the latter
throwing in some grando shells, ruined the furniture, and killed several
people.

The alarm was circulated in the morning, and the country assembled to
attack them; but, unwilling to stand a siege, the pirates dismounted the
guns, pillaged the fort, and fled to their ships.

When at sea, they mustered their hands, and found that they were seventy
strong. They then consulted among themselves what course they should
steer, and were divided in opinion; but by a majority it was carried to
sail for Gambia, on the coast of Guinea. Of this opinion was the
captain, who having been employed in that trade, was acquainted with the
coast; and informed his companions, that there was always a large
quantity of money deposited in that castle, and he was confident, if the
matter was entrusted to him, he should successfully storm that fort.
From their experience of his former prudence and courage, they
cheerfully submitted to his direction, in the full assurance of success.

Arrived at Gambia, he ordered all his men below, except just so many as
were necessary to work the vessel, that those from the fort, seeing so
few hands, might have no suspicion that she was any other than a trading
vessel. He then ran under the fort and cast anchor, and having ordered
out the boat, manned with six men indifferently dressed, he, with the
master and doctor, dressed themselves like gentlemen, in order that the
one party might look like foremastmen, and the other like merchants. In
rowing ashore, he instructed his men what to say if any questions were
put to them by the garrison.

On reaching land, the party was conducted by a file of musqueteers into
the fort, and kindly received by the governor, who enquired what they
were, and whence they came? They replied, that they were from Liverpool,
and bound for the river Senegal, to trade for gum and elephants teeth;
but that they were chased on that coast by two French men-of-war, and
narrowly escaped being taken. "We were now disposed," continued Davis,
"to make the best of our voyage, and would willingly trade here for
slaves." The governor then inquired what were the principal articles of
their cargo. They replied, that they were iron and plate, which were
necessary articles in that place. The governor then said, that he would
give them slaves for all their cargo; and asked if they had any European
liquor on board. They answered, that they had a little for their own
use, but that he should have a hamper of it. He then treated them with
the greatest civility, and desired them all to dine with him. Davis
answered, that as he was commander of the vessel, it would be necessary
for him to go down to see if she were properly moored, and to give some
other directions; but that these gentlemen might stay, and he would
return before dinner, and bring the hamper with him.

While in the fort, his eyes were keenly employed to discover the
position of the arms, and how the fort might most successfully be
surprised. He discovered that there was a sentry standing near a
guard-house, in which there were a quantity of arms heaped up in a
corner, and that a considerable number of small arms were in the
governor's hall. When he went on board, he ordered some hands on board a
sloop lying at anchor, lest, hearing any bustle they should come to the
aid of the castle; then desiring his men to avoid too much liquor, and
to be ready when he should hoist the flag from the walls, to come to his
assistance, he proceeded to the castle.

Having taken these precautions and formed these arrangements, he ordered
every man who was to accompany him to arm himself with two pair of
pistols, which he himself also did, concealed under their clothes. He
then directed them to go into the guard-room, and fall into
conversation, and immediately upon his firing a pistol out of the
governor's window, to shut the men up, and secure the arms in the
guard-room.

When Davis arrived, dinner not being ready, the governor proposed that
they should pass the time in making a bowl of punch. Davis's boatswain
attending him, had an opportunity of visiting all parts of the house,
and observing their strength. He whispered his intelligence to his
master, who being surrounded by his own friends, and seeing the governor
unattended by any of his retinue, presented a pistol to the breast of
the latter, informing him that he was a dead man, unless he should
surrender the fort and all its riches. The governor, thus taken by
surprise, was compelled to submit; for Davis took down all the pistols
that hung in the hall, and loaded them. He then fired his pistol out of
the window. His men flew like lions, presented their pistols to the
soldiers, and while some carried out the arms, the rest secured the
military, and shut them all up in the guard-house, placing a guard on
the door. Then one of them struck the union flag on the top of the
castle, which the men from the vessel perceiving, rushed to the combat,
and in an instant were in possession of the castle, without tumult or
bloodshed.

Davis then harrangued the soldiers, many of whom enlisted with him; and
those who declined, he put on board the small ships, and to prevent the
necessity of a guard, or the possibility of escape, carried off the
sails, rigging and cables.

That day being spent in feasting and rejoicing, the castle saluting the
ship, and the ship the castle, on the day following they proceeded to
examine the contents of their prize. They, however, were greatly
disappointed in their expectations, a large sum of money having been
sent off a few days before. But they found money to the amount of about
two thousand pounds in gold, and many valuable articles of different
kinds. They carried on board their vessel whatever they deemed useful,
gave several articles to the captain and crew of the small vessel, and
allowed them to depart, while they dismounted the guns, and demolished
the fortifications.

After doing all the mischief that their vicious minds could possibly
devise, they weighed anchor; but in the mean time, perceiving a sail
bearing towards them with all possible speed, they hastened to prepare
for her reception, and made towards her. Upon her near approach they
discovered that she was a French pirate of fourteen guns and sixty-four
men, the one half French, and the other half negroes.

The Frenchman was in high expectation of a rich prize, but when he came
nearer, he suspected, from the number of her guns and men, that she was
a small English man-of-war; he determined, notwithstanding, upon the
bold attempt of boarding her, and immediately fired a gun, and hoisted
his black colors: Davis immediately returned the compliment. The
Frenchman was highly gratified at this discovery; both hoisted out their
boats, and congratulated each other. Mutual civilities and good offices
passed, and the French captain proposed to Davis to sail down the coast
with him, in order to look out for a better ship, assuring him that the
very first that could be captured should be his, as he was always
willing to encourage an industrious brother.

They first touched at Sierra Leone, where they espied a large vessel,
and Davis being the swifter sailer, came first up with him. He was not a
little surprised that she did not endeavor to make off, and began to
suspect her strength. When he came alongside of her, she fired a whole
broadside, and hoisted black colors. Davis did the same, and fired a gun
to leeward. The satisfaction of these brothers in iniquity was mutual,
at having thus acquired so much additional strength and ability to
undertake more formidable adventures. Two days were devoted to mirth and
song, and upon the third, Davis and Cochlyn, the captain of the new
confederate, agreed to go in the French pirate ship to attack the fort.
When they approached, the men in the fort, apprehensive of their
character and intentions, fired all the guns upon them at once. The ship
returned the fire, and afforded employment until the other two ships
arrived, when the men in the fort seeing such a number on board, lost
courage, and abandoned the fort to the mercy of the robbers.

They took possession, remained there seven weeks, and cleaned their
vessels. They then called a council of war, to deliberate concerning
future undertakings, when it was resolved to sail down the coast in
company; and, for the greater regularity and grandeur, Davis was chosen
Commodore. That dangerous enemy, strong drink, had well nigh, however,
sown the seeds of discord among these affectionate brethren. But Davis,
alike prepared for council or for war, addressed them to the following
purport: "Hear ye, you Cochlyn and La Boise, (which was the name of the
French captain) I find, by strengthening you, I have put a rod into your
hands to whip myself; but I am still able to deal with you both:
however, since we met in love, let us part in love; for I find that
three of a trade can never agree long together." Upon this, the other
two went on board of their respective ships, and steered different
courses.

Davis held down the coast, and reaching Cape Appolonia he captured three
vessels, two English and one Scottish, plundered them, and allowed them
to proceed. In five days after he met with a Dutchman of thirty guns and
ninety men. She gave Davis a broadside, and killed nine of his men; a
desperate engagement ensued, which continued from one o'clock at noon
until nine next morning, when the Dutchman struck.

Davis equipped her for the pirate service, and called her "The Rover."
With his two ships he sailed for the bay of Anamaboa, which he entered
about noon, and took several vessels which were there waiting to take in
negroes, gold, and elephants' teeth. Davis made a present of one of
these vessels to the Dutch captain and his crew, and allowed them to go
in quest of their fortune. When the fort had intelligence that they were
pirates, they fired at them, but without any effect; Davis fired also,
and hoisted the black colors, but deemed it prudent to depart.

The next day after he left Anamaboa, the man at the mast-head discovered
a sail. It may be proper to inform our readers, that, according to the
laws of pirates, the man who first discovers a vessel, is entitled to
the best pair of pistols in the ship, and such is the honor attached to
these, that a pair of them has been known to sell for thirty pounds.

Davis pursued that vessel, which, being between him and the shore,
labored hard to run aground. Davis perceiving this, got between her and
the land, and fired a broadside at her, when she immediately struck. She
proved to be a very rich prize, having on board the Governor of Acra,
with all his substance, going to Holland. There was in money to the
amount of fifteen thousand pounds, besides a large quantity of merchant
goods, and other valuable articles.

Before they reached the Isle of Princes, the St. James sprang a leak, so
that the men and the valuable articles were removed into Davis's own
ship. When he came in sight of the fort he hoisted English colors. The
Portuguese, seeing a large ship sailing towards the shore, sent a sloop
to discover her character and destination. Davis informed them, that he
was an English man-of-war, sent out in search of some pirates which they
had heard were in this quarter. Upon this, he was piloted into the port,
and anchored below the guns at the fort. The governor was happy to have
Englishmen in his harbor; and to do honor to Davis, sent down a file of
musqueteers to escort him into the fort, while Davis, the more to cover
his design, ordered nine men, according to the custom of the English, to
row him on shore.

Davis also took the opportunity of cleaning and preparing all things for
renewing his operations. He, however, could not contentedly leave the
fort, without receiving some of the riches of the island. He formed a
scheme to accomplish his purpose, and communicated the same to his men.
He design was to make the governor a present of a few negroes in return
for his kindness; then to invite him, with a few of the principal men
and friars belonging to the island, to dine on board his ship, and
secure them all in irons, until each of them should give a large ransom.
They were accordingly invited, and very readily consented to go: and
deeming themselves honored by his attention, all that were invited,
would certainly have gone on board. Fortunately however, for them, a
negro, who was privy to the horrible plan of Davis, swam on shore during
the night, and gave information of the danger to the governor.

[Illustration: _Retreat of the Pirates and Death of Captain Davis._]

The governor occupied the whole night in strengthening the defences and
posting the men in the most advantageous places. Soon after day-break,
the pirates, with Captain Davis at their head were discovered landing
from the boats; and quickly marched across the open space toward the
fort. A brisk fire was opened upon them from the fort, which they
returned in a spirited manner. At length, a hand grenade, thrown from
the wooden veranda of the fort killed three of the pirates; but several
of the Portuguese were killed. The veranda of the fort being of wood and
very dry, it was set fire to by the pirates. This was a great advantage
to the attacking party, who could now distinguish those in the fort
without their being so clearly seen themselves; but at this moment
Captain Davis fell, mortally wounded by a musket ball in his belly. The
fall of their chief, and the determined resistance of those in the fort,
checked the impetuosity of the assailants. They hesitated, and at last
retreated, bearing away with them their wounded commander. The
Portuguese cheered, and led on by the governor, now became the
assailants. Still the pirates' retreat was orderly; they fired and
retired rank behind rank successively. They kept the Portuguese at bay
until they had arrived at the boats, when a charge was made and a severe
conflict ensued. But the pirates had lost too many men; and without
their Captain, felt dispirited. As they lifted Davis into the boat in
his dying agonies he fired his pistols at his pursuers. They now pulled
with all their might to escape from the muskets of the Portuguese, who
followed them along the banks of the river, annoying them in their
retreat to the vessel. And those on board, who expected to hoist in
treasure had to receive naught but their wounded comrades and dead
commander.

[Illustration]




AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES OF THE INDIAN OCEAN.


_With a Narrative of the Expedition against the Inhabitants of Quallah
Battoo, commanded by Commodore Downes_.

A glance at the map of the East India Islands will convince us that this
region of the globe must, from its natural configuration and locality;
be peculiarly liable to become the seat of piracy. These islands form an
immense cluster, lying as if it were in the high road which connects the
commercial nations of Europe and Asia with each other, affording a
hundred fastnesses from which to waylay the traveller. A large
proportion of the population is at the same time confined to the coasts
or the estuaries of rivers; they are fishermen and mariners; they are
barbarous and poor, therefore rapacious, faithless and sanguinary. These
are circumstances, it must be confessed, which militate strongly to
beget a piratical character. It is not surprising, then, that the Malays
should have been notorious for their depredations from our first
acquaintance with them.

Among the tribes of the Indian Islands, the most noted for their
piracies are, of course, the most idle, and the least industrious, and
particularly such as are unaccustomed to follow agriculture or trade as
regular pursuits. The agricultural tribes of Java, and many of Sumatra,
never commit piracy at all; and the most civilized inhabitants of
Celebes are very little addicted to this vice.

Among the most confirmed pirates are the true Malays, inhabiting the
small islands about the eastern extremity of the straits of Malacca, and
those lying between Sumatra and Borneo, down to Billitin and Cavimattir.
Still more noted than these, are the inhabitants of certain islands
situated between Borneo and the Phillipines, of whom the most desperate
and enterprising are the Soolos and Illanoons, the former inhabiting a
well known group of islands of the same name, and the latter being one
of the most numerous nations of the great island of Magindando. The
depredations of the proper Malays extend from Junkceylon to Java,
through its whole coast, as far as Grip to Papir and Kritti, in Borneo
and the western coast of Celebes. In another direction they infest the
coasting trade of the Cochin Chinese and Siamese nations in the Gulf of
Siam, finding sale for their booty, and shelter for themselves in the
ports of Tringham, Calantan and Sahang. The most noted piratical
stations of these people are the small islands about Lingin and Rhio,
particularly Galang, Tamiang and Maphar. The chief of this last has
seventy or eighty proas fit to undertake piratical expeditions.

The Soolo pirates chiefly confine their depredations to the Phillipine
Islands, which they have continued to infest, with little interruption,
for near three centuries, in open defiance of the Spanish authorities,
and the numerous establishments maintained to check them. The piracies
of the Illanoons, on the contrary, are widely extended, being carried on
all the way from their native country to the Spice Islands, on one side,
and to the Straits of Malacca on the other. In these last, indeed, they
have formed, for the last few years, two permanent establishments; one
of these situated on Sumatra, near Indragiri, is called Ritti, and the
other a small island on the coast of Linga, is named Salangut. Besides
those who are avowed pirates, it ought to be particularly noticed that a
great number of the Malayan princes must be considered as accessories to
their crimes, for they afford them protection, contribute to their
outfit, and often share in their booty; so that a piratical proa is too
commonly more welcome in their harbours than a fair trader.

The Malay piratical proas are from six to eight tons burden, and run
from six to eight fathoms in length. They carry from one to two small
guns, with commonly four swivels or rantakas to each side, and a crew of
from twenty to thirty men. When they engage, they put up a strong
bulwark of thick plank; the Illanoon proas are much larger and more
formidable, and commonly carry from four to six guns, and a
proportionable number of swivels, and have not unfrequently a double
bulwark covered with buffalo hides; their crews consist of from forty to
eighty men. Both, of course, are provided with spears, krisses, and as
many fire arms as they can procure. Their modes of attack are cautious
and cowardly, for plunder and not fame is their object. They lie
concealed under the land, until they find a fit object and opportunity.
The time chosen is when a vessel runs aground, or is becalmed, in the
interval between the land and sea breezes. A vessel underway is seldom
or never attacked. Several of the marauders attack together, and station
themselves under the bows and quarters of a ship when she has no longer
steerage way, and is incapable of pointing her guns. The action
continues often for several hours, doing very little mischief; but when
the crew are exhausted with the defence, or have expended their
ammunition, the pirates take this opportunity of boarding in a mass.
This may suggest the best means of defence. A ship, when attacked during
a calm, ought, perhaps, rather to stand on the defensive, and wait if
possible the setting in of the sea breeze, than attempt any active
operations, which would only fatigue the crew, and disable them from
making the necessary defence when boarding is attempted. Boarding
netting, pikes and pistols, appear to afford effectual security; and,
indeed, we conceive that a vessel thus defended by resolute crews of
Europeans or Americans stand but little danger from any open attack of
pirates whatsoever; for their guns are so ill served, that neither the
hull or the rigging of a vessel can receive much damage from them,
however much protracted the contest. The pirates are upon the whole
extremely impartial in the selection of their prey, making little choice
between natives and strangers, giving always, however, a natural
preference to the most timid, and the most easily overcome.

When an expedition is undertaken by the Malay pirates, they range
themselves under the banner of some piratical chief noted for his
courage and conduct. The native prince of the place where it is
prepared, supplies the adventurers with arms, ammunition and opium, and
claims as his share of the plunder, the female captives, the cannon, and
one third of all the rest of the booty.

In Nov. 1827, a principal chief of pirates, named Sindana, made a
descent upon Mamoodgoo with forty-five proas, burnt three-fourths of the
campong, driving the rajah with his family among the mountains. Some
scores of men were killed, and 300 made prisoners, besides women and
children to half that amount. In December following, when I was there,
the people were slowly returning from the hills, but had not yet
attempted to rebuild the campong, which lay in ashes. During my stay
here (ten weeks) the place was visited by two other piratical chiefs,
one of which was from Kylie, the other from Mandhaar Point under Bem
Bowan, who appeared to have charge of the whole; between them they had
134 proas of all sizes.

Among the most desperate and successful pirates of the present day,
Raga is most distinguished. He is dreaded by people of all
denominations, and universally known as the "prince of pirates." For
more than seventeen years this man has carried on a system of piracy to
an extent never before known; his expeditions and enterprises would fill
a large volume. They have invariably been marked with singular cunning
and intelligence, barbarity, and reckless inattention to the shedding of
human blood. He has emissaries every where, and has intelligence of the
best description. It was about the year 1813 Raga commenced operations
on a large scale. In that year he cut off three English vessels, killing
the captains with his own hands. So extensive were his depredations
about that time that a proclamation was issued from Batavia, declaring
the east coast of Borneo to be under strict blockade. Two British sloops
of war scoured the coast. One of which, the Elk, Capt. Reynolds, was
attacked during the night by Raga's own proa, who unfortunately was not
on board at the time. This proa which Raga personally commanded, and the
loss of which he frequently laments, carried eight guns and was full of
his best men.

[Illustration: _A Piratical Proa in Full Chase._]

An European vessel was faintly descried about three o'clock one foggy
morning; the rain fell in torrents; the time and weather were favorable
circumstances for a surprise, and the commander determined to
distinguish himself in the absence of the Rajah Raga, gave directions to
close, fire the guns and board. He was the more confident of success, as
the European vessel was observed to keep away out of the proper course
on approaching her. On getting within about an hundred fathoms of the
Elk they fired their broadside, gave a loud shout, and with their long
oars pulled towards their prey. The sound of a drum beating to quarters
no sooner struck the ear of the astonished Malays than they endeavored
to get away: it was too late; the ports were opened, and a broadside,
accompanied with three British cheers, gave sure indications of their
fate. The captain hailed the Elk, and would fain persuade him it was a
mistake. It was indeed a mistake, and one not to be rectified by the
Malayan explanation. The proa was sunk by repeated broadsides, and the
commanding officer refused to pick up any of the people, who, with the
exception of five were drowned; these, after floating four days on some
spars, were picked up by a Pergottan proa, and told the story to Raga,
who swore anew destruction to every European he should henceforth take.
This desperado has for upwards of seventeen years been the terror of the
Straits of Macassar, during which period he has committed the most
extensive and dreadful excesses sparing no one. Few respectable families
along the coast of Borneo and Celebes but have to complain of the loss
of a proa, or of some number of their race; he is not more universally
dreaded than detested; it is well known that he has cut off and murdered
the crews of more than forty European vessels, which have either been
wrecked on the coasts, or entrusted themselves in native ports. It is
his boast that twenty of the commanders have fallen by his hands. The
western coast of Celebes, for about 250 miles, is absolutely lined with
proas belonging principally to three considerable rajahs, who act in
conjunction with Raga and other pirates. Their proas may be seen in
clusters of from 50, 80, and 100 (at Sediano I counted 147 laying on the
sand at high water mark in parallel rows,) and kept in a horizontal
position by poles, completely ready for the sea. Immediately behind them
are the campongs, in which are the crews; here likewise are kept the
sails, gunpowder, &c. necessary for their equipment. On the very summits
of the mountains, which in many parts rise abruptly from the sea, may be
distinguished innumerable huts; here reside people who are constantly on
the lookout. A vessel within ten miles of the shore will not probably
perceive a single proa, yet in less than two hours, if the tide be high,
she may be surrounded by some hundreds. Should the water be low they
will push off during the night. Signals are made from mountain to
mountain along the coast with the utmost rapidity; during the day time
by flags attached to long bamboos; at night, by fires. Each chief sends
forth his proas, the crews of which, in hazardous cases, are infuriated
with opium, when they will most assuredly take the vessel if she be not
better provided than most merchantmen.

Mr. Dalton, who went to the Pergottan river in 1830 says, "whilst I
remained here, there were 71 proas of considerable sizes, 39 of which
were professed pirates. They were anchored off the point of a small
promontory, on which the rajah has an establishment and bazaar. The
largest of these proas belonged to Raga, who received by the fleet of
proas, in which I came, his regular supplies of arms and ammunition from
Singapore. Here nestle the principal pirates, and Raga holds his head
quarters; his grand depot was a few miles farther up. Rajah Agi Bota
himself generally resides some distance up a small river which runs
eastward of the point; near his habitation stands the principal bazaar,
which would be a great curiosity for an European to visit if he could
only manage to return, which very few have. The Raga gave me a pressing
invitation to spend a couple of days at his country house, but all the
Bugis' nacodahs strongly dissuaded me from such an attempt. I soon
discovered the cause of their apprehension; they were jealous of Agi
Bota, well knowing he would plunder me, and considered every article
taken by him was so much lost to the Sultan of Coti, who naturally would
expect the people to reserve me for his own particular plucking. When
the fact was known of an European having arrived in the Pergottan river,
this amiable prince and friend of Europeans, impatient to seize his
prey, came immediately to the point from his country house, and sending
for the nacodah of the proa, ordered him to land me and all my goods
instantly. An invitation now came for me to go on shore and amuse myself
with shooting, and look at some rare birds of beautiful plumage which
the rajah would give me if I would accept of them; but knowing what were
his intentions, and being well aware that I should be supported by all
the Bugis' proas from Coti, I feigned sickness, and requested that the
birds might be sent on board. Upon this Agi Bota, who could no longer
restrain himself, sent off two boats of armed men, who robbed me of many
articles, and would certainly have forced me on shore, or murdered me in
the proa had not a signal been made to the Bugis' nacodahs, who
immediately came with their people, and with spears and krisses, drove
the rajah's people overboard. The nacodahs, nine in number, now went on
shore, when a scene of contention took place showing clearly the
character of this chief. The Bugis from Coti explained, that with regard
to me it was necessary to be particularly circumspect, as I was not only
well known at Singapore, but the authorities in that settlement knew
that I was on board the Sultan's proa, and they themselves were
responsible for my safety. To this circumstance alone I owe my life on
several occasions, as in the event of any thing happening to me, every
nacodah was apprehensive of his proa being seized on his return to
Singapore; I was therefore more peculiarly cared for by this class of
men, and they are powerful. The rajah answered the nacodahs by saying, I
might be disposed of as many others had been, and no further notice
taken of the circumstance; he himself would write to Singapore that I
had been taken by an alligator, or bitten by a snake whilst out
shooting; and as for what property I might have in the proa he would
divide it with the Sultan of Coti. The Bugis, however, refused to listen
to any terms, knowing the Sultan of Coti would call him to an account
for the property, and the authorities of Singapore for my life. Our
proa, with others, therefore dropped about four miles down the river,
where we took in fresh water. Here we remained six days, every argument
being in vain to entice me on shore. At length the Bugis' nacodahs came
to the determination to sail without passes, which brought the rajah to
terms. The proas returned to the point, and I was given to understand I
might go on shore in safety. I did so, and was introduced to the rajah
whom I found under a shed, with about 150 of his people; they were busy
gambling, and had the appearance of what they really are, a ferocious
set of banditti. Agi Bota is a good looking man, about forty years of
age, of no education whatever; he divides his time between gaming, opium
and cockfighting; that is in the interval of his more serious and
profitable employment, piracy and rapine. He asked me to produce what
money I had about me; on seeing only ten rupees, he remarked that it was
not worth while to win so small a sum, but that if I would fight cocks
with him he would lend me as much money as I wanted, and added it was
beneath his dignity to fight under fifty reals a battle. On my saying it
was contrary to an Englishman's religion to bet wagers, he dismissed me;
immediately after the two rajahs produced their cocks and commenced
fighting for one rupee a side. I was now obliged to give the old
Baudarre five rupees to take some care of me, as whilst walking about,
the people not only thrust their hands into my pockets, but pulled the
buttons from my clothes. Whilst sauntering behind the rajah's campong I
caught sight of an European woman, who on perceiving herself observed,
instantly ran into one of the houses, no doubt dreading the consequences
of being recognized. There are now in the house of Agi Bota two European
women; up the country there are others, besides several men. The Bugis,
inimical to the rajah, made no secret of the fact; I had heard of it on
board the proa, and some person in the bazaar confirmed the statement.
On my arrival, strict orders had been given to the inhabitants to put
all European articles out of sight. One of my servants going into the
bazaar, brought me such accounts as induced me to visit it. In one house
were the following articles: four Bibles, one in English, one in Dutch,
and two in the Portuguese languages; many articles of wearing apparel,
such as jackets and trowsers, with the buttons altered to suit the
natives; pieces of shirts tagged to other parts of dress; several broken
instruments, such as quadrants, spy glasses (two,) binnacles, with
pieces of ship's sails, bolts and hoops; a considerable variety of
gunner's and carpenter's tools, stores, &c. In another shop were two
pelisses of faded lilac color; these were of modern cut and fashionably
made. On enquiring how they became possessed of these articles, I was
told they were some wrecks of European vessels on which no people were
found, whilst others made no scruple of averring that they were formerly
the property of people who had died in the country. All the goods in the
bazaar belonged to the rajah, and were sold on his account; large
quantities were said to be in his house up the river; but on all hands
it was admitted Raga and his followers had by far the largest part of
what was taken. A Mandoor, or head of one of the campongs, showed me
some women's stockings, several of which were marked with the letters
S.W.; also two chemises, one with the letters S.W.; two flannel
petticoats, a miniature portrait frame (the picture was in the rajah's
house,) with many articles of dress of both sexes. In consequence of the
strict orders given on the subject I could see no more; indeed there
were both difficulty and danger attending these inquiries. I
particularly wanted to obtain the miniature picture, and offered the
Mandoor fifty rupees if he could procure it; he laughed at me, and
pointing significantly to his kris, drew one hand across my throat, and
then across his own, giving me to understand such would be the result to
us both on such an application to the rajah. It is the universal custom
of the pirates, on this coast, to sell the people for slaves immediately
on their arrival, the rajah taking for himself a few of the most useful,
and receiving a percentage upon the purchase money of the remainder,
with a moiety of the vessel and every article on board. European vessels
are taken up the river, where they are immediately broken up. The
situation of European prisoners is indeed dreadful in a climate like
this, where even the labor of natives is intolerable; they are compelled
to bear all the drudgery, and allowed a bare sufficiency of rice and
salt to eat."

It is utterly impossible for Europeans who have seen these pirates at
such places as Singapore and Batavia, to form any conception of their
true character. There they are under immediate control, and every part
of their behaviour is a tissue of falsehood and deception. They
constantly carry about with them a smooth tongue, cringing demeanor, a
complying disposition, which always asserts, and never contradicts; a
countenance which appears to anticipate the very wish of the Europeans,
and which so generally imposes upon his understanding, that he at once
concludes them to be the best and gentlest of human beings; but let the
European meet them in any of their own campongs, and a very different
character they will appear. The character and treacherous proceeding
narrated above, and the manner of cutting off vessels and butchering
their crews, apply equally to all the pirates of the East India Islands,
by which many hundred European and American vessels have been surprised
and their crews butchered.

On the 7th of February, 1831, the ship Friendship, Capt. Endicott, of
Salem (Mass.,) was captured by the Malays while lying at Quallah Battoo,
on the coast of Sumatra. In the forenoon of the fatal day, Capt.
Endicott, Mr. Barry, second mate, and four of the crew, it seems went on
shore as usual, for the purpose of weighing pepper, expecting to obtain
that day two boat loads, which had been promised them by the Malays.
After the first boat was loaded, they observed that she delayed some
time in passing down the river, and her crew being composed of Malays,
was supposed by the officers to be stealing pepper from her, and
secreting it in the bushes. In consequence of this conjecture, two men
were sent off to watch them, who on approaching the boat, saw five or
six Malays leap from the jungle, and hurry on board of her. The former,
however, supposed them to be the boat's crew, as they had seen an equal
number quit her previous to their own approach. In this they were
mistaken, as will subsequently appear. At this time a brig hove in
sight, and was seen standing towards Soo Soo, another pepper port,
distant about five miles. Capt. Endicott, on going to the beach to
ascertain whether the brig had hoisted any colors, discovered that the
boat with pepper had approached within a few yards of the Friendship,
manned with an unusual number of natives.

It appears that when the pepper boats came alongside of the Friendship,
as but few of the hands could work at a time, numbers of the Malays came
on board, and on being questioned by Mr. Knight, the first officer, who
was in the gangway, taking an account of the pepper, as to their
business, their reply was, that they had come to see the vessel. Mr.
Knight ordered them into their boat again, and some of them obeyed, but
only to return immediately to assist in the work of death, which was now
commenced by attacking Mr. Knight and the rest of the crew on board. The
crew of the vessel being so scattered, it was impossible to concentrate
their force so as to make a successful resistance. Some fell on the
forecastle, one in the gangway, and Mr. Knight fell upon the quarter
deck, severely wounded by a stab in the back while in the act of
snatching from the bulwarks a boarding pike with which to defend
himself.

The two men who were taking the pepper on a stage, having vainly
attempted to get on board to the assistance of their comrades, were
compelled to leap into the sea. One of them, Charles Converse, of Salem,
being severely wounded, succeeded in swimming to the bobstays, to which
he clung until taken on board by the natives, and from some cause he was
not afterwards molested. His companion, John Davis, being unable to
swim, drifted with the tide near the _boat tackle_, or _davit falls_,
the blocks being overhauled down near the water; one of these he laid
hold of, which the Malays perceiving, dropped their boat astern and
despatched him! the cook sprang into a canoe along side, and in
attempting to push off she was capsized; and being unable to swim, he
got on the bottom, and paddled ashore with his hands, where he was made
prisoner. Gregory, an Italian, sought shelter in the foretop-gallant
cross-trees, where he was fired at several times by the Malays with the
muskets of the Friendship, which were always kept loaded and ready for
use while on the coast.

Three of the crew leaped into the sea, and swam to a point of land near
a mile distant, to the northward of the town; and, unperceived by the
Malays on shore, pursued their course to the northward towards Cape
Felix, intending to go to the port of Annalaboo, about forty-five miles
distant. Having walked all night, they found themselves, on the
following morning, near the promontory, and still twenty-five miles
distant from Annalaboo.

When Mr. Endicott, Mr. Barry, and the four seamen arrived at the beach,
they saw the crew jumping into the sea; the truth now, with all its
horrors, flashed upon his mind, that the vessel was attacked, and in an
instant they jumped on board the boat and pushed off; at the same time a
friendly rajah named Po Adam, sprang into the boat; he was the
proprietor of a port and considerable property at a place called Pulo
Kio, but three miles distant from the mouth of the river Quallah Battoo.
More business had been done by the rajah during the eight years past
than by any other on the pepper coast; he had uniformly professed
himself friendly to the Americans, and he has generally received the
character of their being honest. Speaking a little English as he sprang
into the boat, he exclaimed, "Captain, you got trouble; Malay kill you,
he kill Po Adam too!" Crowds of Malays assembled on both sides of the
river, brandishing their weapons in a menacing manner, while a ferry
boat, manned with eight or ten of the natives, armed with spears and
krisses, pushed off to prevent the officers' regaining their ship. The
latter exhibited no fear, and flourished the cutlass of Po Adam in a
menacing manner from the bows of the boat; it so intimidated the Malays
that they fled to the shore, leaving a free passage to the ship; but as
they got near her they found that the Malays had got entire possession
of her; some of them were promenading the deck, others were making
signals of success to the people on shore, while, with the exception of
one man aloft, not an individual of the crew could be seen. Three Malay
boats, with about fifty men, now issued from the river in the direction
of the ship, while the captain and his men, concluding that their only
hope of recovering their vessel was to obtain assistance from some other
ships, directed their course towards Muchie, where they knew that
several American vessels were lying at anchor. Three American captains,
upon hearing the misfortunes of their countrymen, weighed anchor
immediately for Quallah Battoo, determined, if possible, to recover the
ship. By four o'clock on the same day they gained an anchorage off that
place; the Malays, in the meantime, had removed on shore every moveable
article belonging to the ship, including specie, besides several cases
of opium, amounting in all to upwards of thirty thousand dollars. This
was done on the night of the 9th, and on the morning of the 10th, they
contrived to heave in the chain cable, and get the anchor up to the
bows; and the ship was drifting finely towards the beach, when the
cable, not being stopped abaft the bitts, began suddenly to run out with
great velocity; but a bight having by accident been thrown forward of
the windlass, a riding turn was the consequence, and the anchor, in its
descent, was suddenly checked about fifteen fathoms from the hawse. A
squall soon after coming on, the vessel drifted obliquely towards the
shore, and grounded upon a coral reef near half a mile to the southward
of the town. The next day, having obtained a convenient anchorage, a
message was sent by a friendly Malay who came on board at Soo Soo,
demanding the restoration of the ship. The rajah replied that he would
not give her up, but that they were welcome to take her if they could; a
fire was now opened upon the Friendship by the vessels, her decks were
crowded with Malays, who promptly returned the fire, as did also the
forts on shore. This mode of warfare appeared undecisive, and it was
determined to decide the contest by a close action. A number of boats
being manned and armed with about thirty officers and men, a movement
was made to carry the ship by boarding. The Malays did not wait the
approach of this determined attack, but all deserted the vessel to her
lawful owners, when she was taken possession of and warped out into deep
water. The appearance of the ship, at the time she was boarded, beggars
all description; every part of her bore ample testimony of the scene of
violence and destruction with which she had been visited. The objects of
the voyage were abandoned, and the Friendship returned to the United
States. The public were unanimous in calling for a redress of the
unparalleled outrage on the lives and property of citizens of the United
States. The government immediately adopted measures to punish so
outrageous an act of piracy by despatching the frigate Potomac,
Commodore Downs, Commander. The Potomac sailed from New York the 24th of
August, 1831, after touching at Rio Janeiro and the Cape of Good Hope.
She anchored off Quallah Battoo in February 1832, disguised as a Danish
ship, and came to in merchantman style, a few men being sent aloft,
dressed in red and blue flannel shirts, and one sail being clewed up and
furled at a time. A reconnoitering party were sent on shore disguised as
pepper dealers, but they returned without being able to ascertain the
situations of the forts. The ship now presented a busy scene; it was
determined to commence an attack upon the town the next morning, and
every necessary preparation was accordingly made, muskets were cleaned,
cartridge-boxes buckled on, cutlasses examined and put in order, &c.

At twelve o'clock at night, all hands were called, those assigned to
take part in the expedition were mustered, when Lieut. Shubrick, the
commander of the detachment, gave them special orders; when they entered
the boats and proceeded to the shore, where they effected a landing near
the dawn of day, amid a heavy surf, about a mile and a half to the north
of the town, undiscovered by the enemy, and without any serious accident
having befallen them, though several of the party were thoroughly
drenched by the beating of the surf, and some of their ammunition was
injured.

The troops then formed and took up their line of march against the
enemy, over a beach of deep and heavy sand. They had not proceeded far
before they were discovered by a native at a distance, who ran at full
speed to give the alarm. A rapid march soon brought them up with the
first fort, when a division of men, under the command of Lieut. Hoff,
was detached from the main body, and ordered to surround it. The first
fort was found difficult of access, in consequence of a deep hedge of
thorn-bushes and brambles with which it was environed. The assault was
commenced by the pioneers, with their crows and axes, breaking down the
gates and forcing a passage. This was attended with some difficulty, and
gave the enemy time for preparation. They raised their warwhoop, and
resisted most manfully, fighting with spears, sabres, and muskets. They
had also a few brass pieces in the fort, but they managed them with so
little skill as to produce no effect, for the balls uniformly whizzed
over the heads of our men. The resistance of the Malays was in vain, the
fort was stormed, and soon carried; not, however, till almost every
individual in it was slain. Po Mahomet, a chief of much distinction, and
who was one of the principal persons concerned in the outrage on the
Friendship was here slain; the mother of Chadoolah, another rajah, was
also slain here; another woman fell at this port, but her rank was not
ascertained; she fought with the spirit of a desperado. A seaman had
just scaled one of the ramparts, when he was severely wounded by a blow
received from a weapon in her hands, but her life paid the forfeit of
her daring, for she was immediately transfixed by a bayonet in the hands
of the person whom she had so severely injured. His head was wounded by
a javelin, his thumb nearly cut off by a sabre, and a ball was shot
through his hat.

Lieutenants Edson and Ferret proceeded to the rear of the town, and made
a bold attack upon that fort, which, after a spirited resistance on the
part of the Malays, surrendered. Both officers and marines here narrowly
escaped with their lives. One of the natives in the fort had trained his
piece in such a manner as to rake their whole body, when he was shot
down by a marine while in the very act of applying a match to it. The
cannon was afterwards found to have been filled with bullets. This fort,
like the former, was environed with thick jungle, and great difficulty
had been experienced in entering it. The engagement had now become
general, and the alarm universal. Men, women and children were seen
flying in every direction, carrying the few articles they were able to
seize in the moments of peril, and some of the men were cut down in the
flight. Several of the enemy's proas, filled with people, were severely
raked by a brisk fire from the six pounder, as they were sailing up the
river to the south of the town, and numbers of the natives were killed.
The third and most formidable fort was now attacked, and it proved the
most formidable, and the co-operation of the several divisions was
required for its reduction; but so spirited was the fire poured into it
that it was soon obliged to yield, and the next moment the American
colors were seen triumphantly waving over its battlements. The greater
part of the town was reduced to ashes. The bazaar, the principal place
of merchandize, and most of the private dwellings were consumed by fire.
The triumph had now been completed over the Malays; ample satisfaction
had been taken for their outrages committed upon our own countrymen, and
the bugle sounded the return of the ship's forces; and the embarkation
was soon after effected. The action had continued about two hours and a
half, and was gallantly sustained both by officers and men, from its
commencement to its close. The loss on the part of the Malays was near a
hundred killed, while of the Americans only two lost their lives. Among
the spoils were a Chinese gong, a Koran, taken at Mahomet's fort, and
several pieces of rich gold cloth. Many of the men came off richly laden
with spoils which they had taken from the enemy, such as rajah's scarfs,
gold and silver chunam boxes, chains, ear rings and finger rings,
anklets and bracelets, and a variety of shawls, krisses richly hilted
and with gold scabbards, and a variety of other ornaments. Money to a
considerable amount was brought off. That nothing should be left undone
to have an indelible impression on the minds of these people, of the
power of the United States to inflict punishment for aggressions
committed on her commerce, in seas however distant, the ship was got
underway the following morning, and brought to, with a spring on her
cable, within less than a mile of the shore, when the larboard side was
brought to bear nearly upon the site of the town. The object of the
Commodore, in this movement, was not to open an indiscriminate or
destructive fire upon the town and inhabitants of Quallah Battoo, but to
show them the irresistible power of thirty-two pound shot, and to reduce
the fort of Tuca de Lama, which could not be reached on account of the
jungle and stream of water, on the morning before, and from which a fire
had been opened and continued during the embarkation of the troops on
their return to the ship. The fort was very soon deserted, while the
shot was cutting it to pieces, and tearing up whole cocoa-trees by the
roots. In the afternoon a boat came off from the shore, bearing a flag
of truce to the Commodore, beseeching him, in all the practised forms of
submission of the east, that he would grant them peace, and cease to
fire his big guns. Hostilities now ceased, and the Commodore informed
them that the objects of his government in sending him to their shores
had now been consummated in the punishment of the guilty, who had
committed their piracies on the Friendship. Thus ended the intercourse
with Quallah Battoo. The Potomac proceeded from this place to China, and
from thence to the Pacific Ocean; after looking to the interests of the
American commerce in those parts she arrived at Boston in 1834, after a
three years' absence.




THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN CONDENT


Captain Condent was a Plymouth man born, but we are as yet ignorant of
the motives and time of his first turning pirate. He was one of those
who thought fit to retire from Providence, on Governor Rogers' arrival
at that island, in a sloop belonging to Mr. Simpson, of New York, a Jew
merchant, of which sloop he was then quarter-master. Soon after they
left the island, an accident happened on board, which put the whole crew
into consternation. They had among them an Indian man, whom some of them
had beaten; in revenge, he got most of the arms forward into the hold,
and designed to blow up the sloop; upon which, some advised scuttling
the deck, and throwing grenade shells down, but Condent said that was
too tedious and dangerous, since the fellow might fire through the deck
and kill several of them. He, therefore, taking a pistol in one hand,
and his cutlass in the other, leaped into the hold. The Indian
discharged a piece at him, which broke his arm; but, however, he ran up
and shot the Indian. When he was dead, the crew hacked him to pieces,
and the gunner, ripping up his belly and tearing out his heart, broiled
and eat it.

After this, they took a merchantman called the Duke of York; and some
disputes arising among the pirates, the captain, and one half of the
company, went on board the prize; the other half, who continued in the
sloop, chose Condent captain. He shaped his course for the Cape-de Verd
Islands, and in his way took a merchant ship from Madeira, laden with
wine, and bound for the West Indies, which he plundered and let go;
then coming to the Isle of May, one of the said islands, he took the
whole salt fleet, consisting of about 20 sail. Wanting a boom, he took
out the mainmast of one of these ships to supply the want. Here he took
upon himself the administration of justice, inquiring into the manner of
the commanders' behaviour to their men, and those against whom complaint
was made, he whipped and pickled. He took what provision and other
necessaries he wanted, and having augmented his company by volunteers
and forced men, he left the ships and sailed to St. Jago, where he took
a Dutch ship, which had formerly been a privateer. This proved also an
easy prize, for he fired but one broadside, and clapping her on board,
carried her without resistance, for the captain and several men were
killed, and some wounded by his great shot.

The ship proving for his purpose, he gave her the name of the Flying
Dragon, went on board with his crew, and made a present of his sloop to
a mate of an English prize, whom he had forced with him. From hence he
stood away for the coast of Brazil, and in his cruize took several
Portuguese ships, which he plundered and let go.

After these he fell in with the Wright galley, Capt. John Spelt,
commander, hired by the South Sea company, to go to the coast of Angola
for slaves, and thence to Buenos Ayres. This ship he detained a
considerable time, and the captain being his townsman, treated him very
civilly. A few days after he took Spelt, he made prize of a Portuguese,
laden with bale goods and stores. He rigged the Wright galley anew, and
put on board of her some of the goods. Soon after he had discharged the
Portuguese, he met with a Dutch East Indiaman of 28 guns, whose captain
was killed the first broadside, and took her with little resistance, for
he had hoisted the pirate's colors on board Spelt's ship.

[Illustration: _Capt. Condent leaping into the hold, to attack the
Indian._]

He now, with three sail, steered for the island of Ferdinando, where
he hove down and cleaned the Flying Dragon. Having careened, he put 11
Dutchmen on board Capt. Spelt, to make amends for the hands he had
forced from him, and sent him away, making him a present of the goods he
had taken from the Portuguese ship. When he sailed himself, he ordered
the Dutch to stay at Ferdinando 24 hours after his departure;
threatening, if he did not comply, to sink his ship, if he fell a second
time into his hands, and to put all the company to the sword. He then
stood for the coast of Brazil, where he met a Portuguese man of war of
70 guns, which he came up with. The Portuguese hailed him, and he
answered, _from London, bound to Buenos Ayres_. The Portuguese manned
his shrouds and cheered him, when Condent fired a broadside, and a smart
engagement ensued for the space of three glasses; but Condent finding
himself over-matched, made the best of his way, and being the best
sailer, got off.

A few days after, he took a vessel of the same nation, who gave an
account that he had killed above forty men in the Guarda del Costa,
beside a number wounded. He kept along the coast to the southward, and
took a French ship of 18 guns, laden with wine and brandy, bound for the
South Sea, which he carried with him into the River of Platte. He sent
some of his men ashore to kill some wild cattle, but they were taken by
the crew of a Spanish man-of-war. On their examination before the
captain, they said they were two Guinea ships, with slaves belonging to
the South Sea company, and on this story were allowed to return to their
boats. Here five of his forced men ran away with his canoe; he plundered
the French ship, cut her adrift, and she was stranded. He proceeded
along the Brazil coast, and hearing a pirate ship was lost upon it, and
the pirates imprisoned, he used all the Portuguese who fell into his
hands, who were many, very barbarously, cutting off their ears and
noses; and as his master was a papist, when they took a priest, they
made him say mass at the mainmast, and would afterwards get on his back
and ride him about the decks, or else load and drive him like a beast.
He from this went to the Guinea coast, and took Capt. Hill, in the
Indian Queen.

[Illustration: _The Pirates riding the Priests about deck._]

In Luengo Bay he saw two ships at anchor, one a Dutchman of 44 guns, the
other an English ship, called the Fame, Capt. Bowen, commander. They
both cut and ran ashore; the Fame was lost, but the Dutch ship the
pirate got off and took with him. When he was at sea again, he
discharged Captain Hill, and stood away for the East Indies. Near the
Cape he took an Ostend East-Indiaman, of which Mr. Nash, a noted
merchant of London, was supercargo. Soon after he took a Dutch
East-Indiaman, discharged the Ostender, and made for Madagascar. At the
Isle of St. Mary, he met with some of Capt. Halsey's crew, whom he took
on board with other stragglers, and shaped his course for the
East-Indies, and in the way, at the island of Johanna, took, in company
with two other pirates he met at St. Mary's, the Cassandra
East-Indiaman, commanded by Capt. James Macraigh. He continued his
course for the East-Indies, where he made a very great booty; and
returning, touched at the island of Mascarenhas, where he met with a
Portuguese ship of 70 guns, with the viceroy of Goa on board. This ship
he made prize of, and hearing she had money on board, they would allow
of no ransom, but carried her to the coast of Zanguebar, where was a
Dutch fortification, which they took and plundered, razed the fort, and
carried off several men voluntarily. From hence they stood for St.
Mary's, where they shared their booty, broke up their company, and
settled among the natives. Here a snow came from Bristol, which they
obliged to carry a petition to the governor of Mascarenhas for a pardon,
though they paid the master very generously. The governor returned
answer he would take them into protection if they would destroy their
ships, which they agreed to, and accordingly sunk the Flying Dragon, &c.
Condent and some others went to Mascarenhas, where Condent married the
governor's sister-in-law, and remained some time; but, as I have been
credibly informed, he is since come to France, settled at St. Maloes,
and drives a considerable trade as a merchant.




THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN EDWARD LOW.


This ferocious villain was born in Westminster, and received an
education similar to that of the common people in England. He was by
nature a pirate; for even when very young he raised contributions among
the boys of Westminster, and if they declined compliance, a battle was
the result. When he advanced a step farther in life, he began to exert
his ingenuity at low games, and cheating all in his power; and those who
pretended to maintain their own right, he was ready to call to the field
of combat.

He went to sea in company with his brother, and continued with him for
three or four years. Going over to America, he wrought in a
rigging-house at Boston for some time. He then came home to see his
mother in England, returned to Boston, and continued for some years
longer at the same business. But being of a quarrelsome temper, he
differed with his master, and went on board a sloop bound for the Bay of
Honduras.

While there, he had the command of a boat employed in bringing logwood
to the ship. In that boat there were twelve men well armed, to be
prepared for the Spaniards, from whom the wood was taken by force. It
happened one day that the boat came to the ship just a little before
dinner was ready, and Low desired that they might dine before they
returned. The captain, however, ordered them a bottle of rum, and
requested them to take another trip, as no time was to be lost. The crew
were enraged, particularly Low, who took up a loaded musket and fired at
the captain, but missing him, another man was shot, and they ran off
with the boat. The next day they took a small vessel, went on board her,
hoisted a black flag, and declared war with the whole world.

In their rovings, Low met with Lowther, who proposed that he should join
him, and thus promote their mutual advantage. Having captured a
brigantine, Low, with forty more, went on board her; and leaving
Lowther, they went to seek their own fortune.

Their first adventure was the capture of a vessel belonging to Amboy,
out of which they took the provisions, and allowed her to proceed. On
the same day they took a sloop, plundered her, and permitted her to
depart. The sloop went into Black Island, and sent intelligence to the
governor that Low was on the coast. Two small vessels were immediately
fitted out, but, before their arrival, Low was beyond their reach. After
this narrow escape, Low went into port to procure water and fresh
provisions; and then renewed his search of plunder. He next sailed into
the harbor of Port Rosemary, where were thirteen ships, but none of them
of any great strength. Low hoisted the black flag, assuring them that if
they made any resistance they should have no quarter; and manning their
boat, the pirates took possession of every one of them, which they
plundered and converted to their own use. They then put on board a
schooner ten guns and fifty men, named her the Fancy, and Low himself
went on board of her, while Charles Harris was constituted captain of
the brigantine. They also constrained a few of the men to join them, and
sign their articles.

After an unsuccessful pursuit of two sloops from Boston, they steered
for the Leeward Islands, but in their way were overtaken by a terrible
hurricane. The search for plunder gave place to the most vigorous
exertion to save themselves. On board the brigantine, all hands were at
work both day and night; they were under the necessity of throwing
overboard six of her guns, and all the weighty provisions. In the storm,
the two vessels were separated, and it was some time before they again
saw each other.

After the storm, Low went into a small island west of the Carribbees,
refitted his vessels, and got provision for them in exchange of goods.
As soon as the brigantine was ready for sea, they went on a cruise until
the Fancy should be prepared, and during that cruise, met with a vessel
which had lost all her masts in the storm, which they plundered of goods
to the value of 1000_l_. and returned to the island. When the Fancy was
ready to sail, a council was held what course they should next steer.
They followed the advice of the captain, who thought it not safe to
cruise any longer to the leeward, lest they should fall in with any of
the men-of-war that cruised upon that coast, so they sailed for the
Azores.

The good fortune of Low was now singular; in his way thither he captured
a French ship of 34 guns, and carried her along with him. Then entering
St. Michael's roads, he captured seven sail, threatening with instant
death all who dared to oppose him. Thus, by inspiring terror, without
firing a single gun, he became master of all that property. Being in
want of water and fresh provisions, Low sent to the governor demanding a
supply, upon condition of releasing the ships he had taken, otherwise he
would commit them to the flames. The request was instantly complied
with, and six of the vessels were restored. But a French vessel being
among them, they emptied her of guns and all her men except the cook,
who, they said, being a greasy fellow, would fry well; they accordingly
bound the unfortunate man to the mast, and set the ship on fire.

The next who fell in their way was Captain Carter, in the Wright galley;
who, because he showed some inclination to defend himself, was cut and
mangled in a barbarous manner. There were also two Portuguese friars,
whom they tied to the foremast, and several times let them down before
they were dead, merely to gratify their own ferocious dispositions.
Meanwhile, another Portuguese, beholding this cruel scene, expressed
some sorrow in his countenance, upon which one of the wretches said he
did not like his looks, and so giving him a stroke across the body with
his cutlass, he fell upon the spot. Another of the miscreants, aiming a
blow at a prisoner, missed his aim, and struck Low upon the under jaw.
The surgeon was called, and stitched up the wound; but Low finding fault
with the operation, the surgeon gave him a blow which broke all the
stiches, and left him to sew them himself. After he had plundered this
vessel, some of them were for burning her, as they had done the
Frenchman; but instead of that, they cut her cables, rigging, and sails
to pieces, and sent her adrift to the mercy of the waves.

[Illustration: _The Cruelties practised by Captain Low._]

They next sailed for the island of Madeira, and took up a fishing boat
with two old men and a boy. They detained one of them, and sent the
other on shore with a flag of truce, requesting the governor to send
them a boat of water, else they would hang the other man at the yard
arm. The water was sent, and the man dismissed.

They next sailed for the Canary Islands, and there took several vessels;
and being informed that two small galleys were daily expected, the sloop
was manned and sent in quest of them. They, however, missing their prey,
and being in great want of provision, went into St. Michael's in the
character of traders, and being discovered, were apprehended, and the
whole crew conducted to the castle, and treated according to their
merits.

Meanwhile, Low's ship was overset upon the careen and lost, so that,
having only the Fancy schooner remaining, they all, to the number of a
hundred, went on board her, and set sail in search of new spoils. They
soon met a rich Portuguese vessel, and after some resistance captured
her. Low tortured the men to constrain them to inform him where they had
hid their treasures. He accordingly discovered that, during the chase,
the captain had hung a bag with eleven thousand moidores out of the
cabin window, and that, when they were taken, he had cut the rope, and
allowed it to fall into the sea. Upon this intelligence, Low raved and
stormed like a fury, ordered the captain's lips to be cut off and
broiled before his eyes, then murdered him and all his crew.

[Illustration: _The Captain of the Portuguese Ship cutting away the Bag
of Moidores._]

After this bloody action, the miscreants steered northward, and in their
course seized several vessels, one of which they burned, and plundering
the rest, allowed them to proceed. Having cleaned in one of the islands,
they then sailed for the bay of Honduras. They met a Spaniard coming out
of the bay, which had captured five Englishmen and a pink, plundered
them, and brought away the masters prisoners. Low hoisted Spanish
colors, but, when he came near, hung out the black flag, and the
Spaniard was seized without resistance. Upon finding the masters of the
English vessels in the hold, and seeing English goods on board, a
consultation was held, when it was determined to put all the Spaniards
to the sword. This was scarcely resolved upon, when they commenced with
every species of weapons to massacre every man, and some flying from
their merciless hands into the waves, a canoe was sent in pursuit of
those who endeavored to swim on shore. They next plundered the Spanish
vessel, restored the English masters to their respective vessels, and
set the Spaniard on fire.

Low's next cruise was between the Leeward Islands and the main land,
where, in a continued course of prosperity, he successively captured no
less than nineteen ships of different sizes, and in general treated
their crews with a barbarity unequalled even among pirates. But it
happened that the Greyhound, of twenty guns and one hundred and twenty
men, was cruising upon that coast. Informed of the mischief these
miscreants had done, the Greyhound went in search of them. Supposing
they had discovered a prize, Low and his crew pursued them, and the
Greyhound, allowing them to run after her until all things were ready
to engage, turned upon the two sloops.

One of these sloops was called the Fancy, and commanded by Low himself,
and the other the Ranger, commanded by Harris; both hoisted their
piratical colors, and fired each a gun. When the Greyhound came within
musket shot, she hauled up her mainsail, and clapped close upon a wind,
to keep the pirates from running to leeward, and then engaged. But when
the rogues found whom they had to deal with, they edged away under the
man-of-war's stern, and the Greyhound standing after them, they made a
running fight for about two hours; but little wind happening, the sloops
gained from her, by the help of their oars; upon which the Greyhound
left off firing, turned all hands to her own oars, and at three in the
afternoon came up with them. The pirates hauled upon a wind to receive
the man-of-war, and the fight was immediately renewed, with a brisk fire
on both sides, till the Ranger's mainyard was shot down. Under these
circumstances, Low abandoned her to the enemy, and fled.

The conduct of Low was surprising in this adventure, because his reputed
courage and boldness had hitherto so possessed the minds of all people,
that he became a terror even to his own men; but his behaviour
throughout this whole action showed him to be a base cowardly villain;
for had Low's sloop fought half so briskly as Harris' had done (as they
were under a solemn oath to do,) the man-of-war, in the opinion of some
present, could never have hurt them.

Nothing, however, could lessen the fury, or reform the manners, of that
obdurate crew. Their narrow escape had no good effect upon them, and
with redoubled violence they renewed their depredations and cruelties.
The next vessel they captured, was eighty miles from land. They used the
master with the most wanton cruelty, then shot him dead, and forced the
crew into the boat with a compass, a little water, and a few biscuits,
and left them to the mercy of the waves; they, however, beyond all
expectation, got safe to shore.

Low proceeded in his villainous career with too fatal success.
Unsatisfied with satiating their avarice and walking the common path of
wickedness, those inhuman wretches, like to Satan himself, made mischief
their sport, cruelty their delight, and the ruin and murder of their
fellow men their constant employment. Of all the piratical crews
belonging to the English nation, none ever equalled Low in barbarity.
Their mirth and their anger had the same effect. They murdered a man
from good humor, as well as from anger and passion. Their ferocious
disposition seemed only to delight in cries, groans, and lamentations.
One day Low having captured Captain Graves, a Virginia man, took a bowl
of punch in his hand, and said, "Captain, here's half this to you." The
poor gentleman was too much touched with his misfortunes to be in a
humor for drinking, he therefore modestly excused himself. Upon this Low
cocked and presented a pistol in the one hand, and his bowl in the
other, saying, "Either take the one or the other."

Low next captured a vessel called the Christmas, mounted her with
thirty-four guns, went on board her himself, assumed the title of
admiral, and hoisted the black flag. His next prize was a brigantine
half manned with Portuguese, and half with English. The former he
hanged, and the latter he thrust into their boat and dismissed, while he
set fire to the vessel. The success of Low was unequalled, as well as
his cruelty; and during a long period he continued to pursue his wicked
course with impunity.

All wickedness comes to an end and Low's crew at last rose against him
and he was thrown into a boat without provisions and abandoned to his
fate. This was because Low murdered the quarter-master while he lay
asleep. Not long after he was cast adrift a French vessel happened along
and took him into Martinico, and after a quick trial by the authorities
he received short shift on a gallows erected for his benefit.

[Illustration: _Low presenting a Pistol and Bowl of Punch._]




LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN EDWARD ENGLAND


This adventurer was mate of a sloop that sailed from Jamaica, and was
taken by Captain Winter, a pirate, just before the settlement of the
pirates at Providence island. After the pirates had surrendered to his
Majesty's pardon, and Providence island was peopled by the English
government, Captain England sailed to Africa. There he took several
vessels, particularly the Cadogan, from Bristol, commanded by one
Skinner. When the latter struck to the pirate, he was ordered to come on
board in his boat. The person upon whom he first cast his eye, proved to
be his old boatswain, who stared him in the face, and accosted him in
the following manner: "Ah, Captain Skinner, is it you? the only person I
wished to see: I am much in your debt, and I shall pay you all in your
own coin." The poor man trembled in every joint, and dreaded the event,
as he well might. It happened that Skinner and his old boatswain, with
some of his men, had quarrelled, so that he thought fit to remove them
on board a man-of-war, while he refused to pay them their wages. Not
long after, they found means to leave the man-of-war, and went on board
a small ship in the West Indies. They were taken by a pirate, and
brought to Providence, and from thence sailed as pirates with Captain
England. Thus accidentally meeting their old captain, they severely
revenged the treatment they had received.

After the rough salutation which has been related, the boatswain called
to his comrades, laid hold of Skinner, tied him fast to the windlass,
and pelted him with glass bottles until they cut him in a shocking
manner, then whipped him about the deck until they were quite fatigued,
remaining deaf to all his prayers and entreaties; and at last, in an
insulting tone, observed, that as he had been a good master to his men,
he should have an easy death, and upon this shot him through the head.

[Illustration: _The Pirates pelting Captain Skinner with Glass
Bottles._]

Having taken such things out of the ship as they stood most in need of,
she was given to Captain Davis in order to try his fortune with a few
hands.

Captain England, some time after, took a ship called the Pearl, for
which he exchanged his own sloop, fitted her up for piratical service,
and called her the Royal James. In that vessel he was very fortunate,
and took several ships of different sizes and different nations. In the
spring of 1719, the pirates returned to Africa, and beginning at the
river Gambia, sailed down the coast to Cape Corso, and captured several
vessels. Some of them they pillaged, and allowed to proceed, some they
fitted out for the pirate service, and others they burned.

Leaving our pirate upon this coast, the Revenge and the Flying King, two
other pirate vessels, sailed for the West Indies, where they took
several prizes, and then cleared and sailed for Brazil. There they
captured some Portuguese vessels; but a large Portuguese man-of-war
coming up to them, proved an unwelcome guest. The Revenge escaped, but
was soon lost upon that coast. The Flying King in despair run ashore.
There were then seventy on board, twelve of whom were slain, and the
remainder taken prisoners. The Portuguese hanged thirty-eight of them.

Captain England, whilst cruising upon that coast, took the Peterborough
of Bristol, and the Victory. The former they detained, the latter they
plundered and dismissed. In the course of his voyage, England met with
two ships, but these taking shelter under Cape Corso Castle, he
unsuccessfully attempted to set them on fire. He next sailed down to
Whydah road, where Captain La Bouche had been before England, and left
him no spoil. He now went into the harbor, cleaned his own ship, and
fitted up the Peterborough, which he called the Victory. During several
weeks the pirates remained in this quarter, indulging in every species
of riot and debauchery, until the natives, exasperated with their
conduct, came to an open rupture, when several of the negroes were
slain, and one of their towns set on fire by the pirates.

Leaving that port, the pirates, when at sea, determined by vote to sail
for the East Indies, and arrived at Madagascar. After watering and
taking in some provisions they sailed for the coast of Malabar. This
place is situated in the Mogul Empire, and is one of its most beautiful
and fertile districts. It extends from the coast of Canora to Cape
Comorin. The original natives are negroes; but a mingled race of
Mahometans, who are generally merchants, have been introduced in modern
times. Having sailed almost round the one half of the globe, literally
seeking whom they might devour, our pirates arrived in this hitherto
untried and prolific field for their operations.

Not long after their settlement at Madagascar, they took a cruise, in
which they captured two Indian vessels and a Dutchman. They exchanged
the latter for one of their own, and directed their course again to
Madagascar. Several of their hands were sent on shore with tents and
ammunition, to kill such beasts and venison as the island afforded. They
also formed the resolution to go in search of Avery's crew, which they
knew had settled upon the island; but as their residence was upon the
other side of the island, the loss of time and labour was the only fruit
of their search.

They tarried here but a very short time, then steered their course to
Johanna, and coming out of that harbor, fell in with two English vessels
and an Ostend ship, all Indiamen, which, after a most desperate action,
they captured. The particulars of this extraordinary action are related
in the following letter from Captain Mackra.

"_Bombay, November 16th_, 1720.

"We arrived on the 25th of July last, in company with the Greenwich, at
Johanna, an island not far from Madagascar. Putting in there to refresh
our men, we found fourteen pirates who came in their canoes from the
Mayotta, where the pirate ship to which they belonged, viz. the Indian
Queen, two hundred and fifty tons, twenty-eight guns, and ninety men,
commanded by Captain Oliver de la Bouche, bound from the Guinea coast to
the East Indies, had been bulged and lost. They said they left the
captain and forty of their men building a new vessel, to proceed on
their wicked designs. Captain Kirby and I concluding that it might be of
great service to the East India Company to destroy such a nest of
rogues, were ready to sail for that purpose on the 17th of August, about
eight o'clock in the morning, when we discovered two pirates standing
into the bay Johanna, one of thirty-four, and the other of thirty-six
guns. I immediately went on board the Greenwich, where they seemed very
diligent in preparation for an engagement, and I left Captain Kirby with
mutual promises of standing by each other. I then unmoored, got under
sail, and brought two boats a-head to row me close to the Greenwich; but
he being open to a valley and a breeze, made the best of his way from
me; which an Ostender in our company, of twenty-two guns, seeing, did
the same, though the captain had promised heartily to engage with us,
and I believe would have been as good as his word, if Captain Kirby had
kept his. About half an hour after twelve, I called several times to the
Greenwich to bear down to our assistance, and fired a shot at him, but
to no purpose; for though we did not doubt but he would join us,
because, when he got about a league from us he brought his ship to and
looked on, yet both he and the Ostender basely deserted us, and left us
engaged with barbarous and inhuman enemies, with their black and bloody
flags hanging over us, without the least appearance of ever escaping,
but to be cut to pieces. But God in his good providence determined
otherwise; for, notwithstanding their superiority, we engaged them both
about three hours; during which time the biggest of them received some
shot betwixt wind and water, which made her keep off a little to stop
her leaks. The other endeavored all she could to board us, by rowing
with her oars, being within half a ship's length of us above an hour;
but by good fortune we shot all her oars to pieces, which prevented
them, and by consequence saved our lives.

"About four o'clock most of the officers and men posted on the
quarter-deck being killed and wounded, the largest ship making up to us
with diligence, being still within a cable's length of us, often giving
us a broadside; there being now no hopes of Captain Kirby's coming to
our assistance, we endeavored to run a-shore; and though we drew four
feet of water more than the pirate, it pleased God that he stuck fast on
a higher ground than happily we fell in with; so was disappointed a
second time from boarding us. Here we had a more violent engagement than
before: all my officers and most of my men behaved with unexpected
courage; and, as we had a considerable advantage by having a broadside
to his bow, we did him great damage; so that had Captain Kirby come in
then, I believe we should have taken both the vessels, for we had one of
them sure; but the other pirate (who was still firing at us,) seeing the
Greenwich did not offer to assist us, supplied his consort with three
boats full of fresh men. About five in the evening the Greenwich stood
clear away to sea, leaving us struggling hard for life, in the very jaws
of death; which the other pirate that was afloat, seeing, got a warp
out, and was hauling under our stern.

"By this time many of my men being killed and wounded, and no hopes left
us of escaping being all murdered by enraged barbarous conquerors, I
ordered all that could to get into the long-boat, under the cover of the
smoke of our guns; so that, with what some did in boats, and others by
swimming, most of us that were able, got ashore by seven o'clock. When
the pirates came aboard, they cut three of our wounded men to pieces. I
with some of my people made what haste I could to King's-town,
twenty-five miles from us, where I arrived next day, almost dead with
the fatigue and loss of blood, having been sorely wounded in the head by
a musket-ball.

"At this town I heard that the pirates had offered ten thousand dollars
to the country people to bring me in, which many of them would have
accepted, only they knew the king and all his chief people were in my
interest. Meantime, I caused a report to be spread that I was dead of my
wounds, which much abated their fury. About ten days after, being pretty
well recovered, and hoping the malice of our enemies was nigh over, I
began to consider the dismal condition we were reduced to; being in a
place where we had no hopes of getting a passage home, all of us in a
manner naked, not having had time to bring with us either a shirt or a
pair of shoes, except what we had on. Having obtained leave to go on
board the pirates with a promise of safety, several of the chief of them
knew me, and some of them had sailed with me, which I found to be of
great advantage; because, notwithstanding their promise, some of them
would have cut me to pieces, and all that would not enter with them, had
it not been for their chief captain, Edward England, and some others
whom I knew. They talked of burning one of their ships, which we had so
entirely disabled as to be no farther useful to them, and to fit the
Cassandra in her room; but in the end I managed the affair so well, that
they made me a present of the said shattered ship, which was Dutch
built, and called the Fancy; her burden was about three hundred tons. I
procured also a hundred and twenty-nine bales of the Company's cloth,
though they would not give me a rag of my own clothes.

"They sailed the 3rd of September; and I, with jury-masts, and such old
sails as they left me, made a shift to do the like on the 8th, together
with forty-three of my ship's crew, including two passengers and twelve
soldiers; having no more than five tuns of water aboard. After a passage
of forty-eight days, I arrived here on the 26th of October, almost naked
and starved, having been reduced to a pint of water a-day, and almost in
despair of ever seeing land, by reason of the calms we met with between
the coast of Arabia and Malabar.

"We had in all thirteen men killed and twenty-four wounded; and we were
told that we destroyed about ninety or a hundred of the pirates. When
they left us, they were about three hundred whites, and eighty blacks,
on both ships. I am persuaded, had our consort the Greenwich done his
duty, we had destroyed both of them, and got two hundred thousand pounds
for our owners and selves; whereas the loss of the Cassandra may justly
be imputed to his deserting us. I have delivered all the bales that were
given me into the Company's warehouse, for which the governor and
council have ordered me a reward. Our governor, Mr. Boon, who is
extremely kind and civil to me, had ordered me home with the packet; but
Captain Harvey, who had a prior promise, being come in with the fleet,
goes in my room. The governor had promised me a country voyage to help
to make up my losses, and would have me stay and accompany him to
England next year."

Captain Mackra was certainly in imminent danger, in trusting himself and
his men on board the pirate ship, and unquestionably nothing but the
desperate circumstances in which he was placed could have justified so
hazardous a step. The honor and influence of Captain England, however,
protected him and his men from the fury of the crew, who would willingly
have wreaked their vengeance upon them.

It is pleasing to discover any instance of generosity or honor among
such an abandoned race, who bid defiance to all the laws of honor, and,
indeed, are regardless of all laws human and divine. Captain England was
so steady to Captain Mackra, that he informed him, it would be with no
small difficulty and address that he would be able to preserve him and
his men from the fury of the crew, who were greatly enraged at the
resistance which had been made. He likewise acquainted him, that his
influence and authority among them was giving place to that of Captain
Taylor, chiefly because the dispositions of the latter were more savage
and brutal. They therefore consulted between them what was the best
method to secure the favor of Taylor, and keep him in good humor. Mackra
made the punch to flow in great abundance, and employed every artifice
to soothe the mind of that ferocious villain.

A single incident was also very favorable to the unfortunate captain. It
happened that a pirate, with a prodigious pair of whiskers, a wooden
leg, and stuck round with pistols, came blustering and swearing upon the
quarter deck, inquiring "where was Captain Mackra." He naturally
supposed that this barbarous-looking fellow would be his executioner;
but, as he approached, he took the captain by the hand, swearing "that
he was an honest fellow, and that he had formerly sailed with him, and
would stand by him; and let him see the man that would touch him." This
terminated the dispute, and Captain Taylor's disposition was so
ameliorated with punch, that he consented that the old pirate ship, and
so many bales of cloth, should be given to Mackra, and then sank into
the arms of intoxication. England now pressed Mackra to hasten away,
lest the ruffian, upon his becoming sober, should not only retract his
word, but give liberty to the crew to cut him and his men to pieces.

But the gentle temper of Captain England, and his generosity towards the
unfortunate Mackra, proved the organ of much calamity to himself. The
crew, in general, deeming the kind of usage which Mackra had received,
inconsistent with piratical policy, they circulated a report, that he
was coming against them with the Company's force. The result of these
invidious reports was to deprive England of his command, and to excite
these cruel villains to put him on shore, with three others, upon the
island of Mauritius. If England and his small company had not been
destitute of every necessary, they might have made a comfortable
subsistence here, as the island abounds with deer, hogs, and other
animals. Dissatisfied, however, with their solitary situation, Captain
England and his three men exerted their industry and ingenuity, and
formed a small boat, with which they sailed to Madagascar, where they
subsisted upon the generosity of some more fortunate piratical
companions.

[Illustration: _Captain Mackra, and the Pirate with a wooden leg._]

Captain Taylor detained some of the officers and men belonging to
Captain Mackra, and having repaired their vessel, sailed for India. The
day before they made land, they espied two ships to the eastward, and
supposing them to be English, Captain Taylor ordered one of the officers
of Mackra's ship to communicate to him the private signals between the
Company's ships, swearing that if he did not do so immediately, he would
cut him into pound pieces. But the poor man being unable to give the
information demanded, was under the necessity of enduring their threats.
Arrived at the vessels, they found that they were two Moorish ships,
laden with horses. The pirates brought the captains and merchants on
board, and tortured them in a barbarous manner, to constrain them to
tell where they had hid their treasure. They were, however,
disappointed; and the next morning they discovered land, and at the same
time a fleet on shore plying to windward. In this situation they were at
a considerable loss how to dispose of their prizes. To let them go would
lead to their discovery, and thus defeat the design of their voyage; and
it was a distressing matter to sink the men and the horses, though many
of them were for adopting that measure. They, however, brought them to
anchor, threw all the sails overboard, and cut one of the masts half
through.

While they lay at anchor, and were employed in taking in water, one of
the above-mentioned fleet moved towards them with English colors, and
was answered by the pirate with a red ensign; but they did not hail each
other. At night they left the Muscat ships, and sailed after the fleet.
About four next morning, the pirates were in the midst of the fleet, but
seeing their vast superiority, were greatly at a loss what method to
adopt. The Victory had become leaky, and their hands were so few in
number, that it only remained for them to deceive, if possible, the
English squadron. They were unsuccessful in gaining any thing out of
that fleet, and had only the wretched satisfaction of burning a single
galley. They however that day seized a galliot laden with cotton, and
made inquiry of the men concerning the fleet. They protested that they
had not seen a ship since they left Gogo, and earnestly implored their
mercy; but, instead of treating them with lenity, they put them to the
rack, in order to extort farther confession. The day following, a fresh
easterly wind blew hard, and rent the galliot's sails; upon this the
pirates put her company into a boat, with nothing but a try-sail, no
provisions, and only four gallons of water, and, though they were out of
sight of land, left them to shift for themselves.

It may be proper to inform our readers, that one Angria, an Indian
prince, of considerable territory and strength, had proved a troublesome
enemy to Europeans, and particularly to the English. Calaba was his
principal fort, situated not many leagues from Bombay, and he possessed
an island in sight of the port, from whence he molested the Company's
ships. His art in bribing the ministers of the Great Mogul, and the
shallowness of the water, that prevented large ships of war from
approaching, were the principal causes of his safety.

The Bombay fleet, consisting of four grabs, the London and the Candois,
and two other ships, with a galliot, having an additional thousand men
on board for this enterprise, sailed to attack a fort belonging to
Angria upon the Malabar coast. Though their strength was great, yet they
were totally unsuccessful in their enterprise. It was this fleet
returning home that our pirates discovered upon the present occasion.
Upon the sight of the pirates, the commodore of the fleet intimated to
Mr. Brown, the general, that as they had no orders to fight, and had
gone upon a different purpose, it would be improper for them to engage.
Informed of the loss of this favorable opportunity of destroying the
robbers, the governor of Bombay was highly enraged, and giving the
command of the fleet to Captain Mackra, ordered him to pursue and engage
them wherever they should be found.

The pirates having barbarously sent away the galliot with her men, they
arrived southward, and between Goa and Carwar they heard several guns,
so that they came to anchor, and sent their boat to reconnoitre, which
returned next morning with the intelligence of two grabs, lying at
anchor in the road. They accordingly weighed, ran towards the bay, and
in the morning were discovered by the grabs, who had just time to run
under India-Diva castle for protection. This was the more vexatious to
the pirates, as they were without water; some of them, therefore, were
for making a descent upon the island, but that measure not being
generally approved, they sailed towards the south, and took a small
ship, which had only a Dutchman and two Portuguese on board. They sent
one of these on shore to the captain, to inform him that, if he would
give them some water and fresh provisions, he might have his vessel
returned. He replied that, if they would give him possession over the
bar, he would comply with their request. But, suspecting the integrity
of his design, they sailed for Lacca Deva islands, uttering dreadful
imprecations against the captain.

Disappointed in finding water at these islands, they sailed to Malinda
island, and sent their boats on shore, to discover if there was any
water, or if there were any inhabitants.. They returned with the
information, that there was abundance of water, that the houses were
only inhabited by women and children, the men having fled at the
appearance of the ships. They accordingly hastened to supply themselves
with water, used the defenceless women in a brutal manner, destroyed
many of their fruit-trees, and set some of their houses on fire.

While off the island, they lost several of their anchors by the
rockiness of the ground; and one day, blowing more violently than usual,
they were forced to take to sea, leaving several people and most of the
water-casks; but when the gale was over, they returned to take in their
men and water. Their provisions being nearly exhausted, they resolved to
visit the Dutch at Cochin. After sailing three days, they arrived off
Tellechery, and took a small vessel belonging to Governor Adams, and
brought the master on board, very much intoxicated, who informed them of
the expedition of Captain Mackra. This intelligence raised their utmost
indignation. "A villain!" said they, "to whom we have given a ship and
presents, to come against us! he ought to be hanged; and since we cannot
show our resentment to him, let us hang the dogs his people, who wish
him well, and would do the same, if they were clear." "If it be in my
power," said the quarter-master, "both masters and officers of ships
shall be carried with us for the future, only to plague them. Now,
England, we mark him for this."

They proceeded to Calicut, and attempting to cut out a ship, were
prevented by some guns placed upon the shore. One of Captain Mackra's
officers was under deck at this time, and was commanded both by the
captain and the quarter-master to tend the braces on the booms, in hopes
that a shot would take him before they got clear. He was about to have
excused himself, but they threatened to shoot him; and when he
expostulated, and claimed their promise to put him on shore, he received
an unmerciful beating from the quarter-master; Captain Taylor, to whom
that duty belonged, being lame in his hands.

The day following they met a Dutch galliot, laden with limestone, bound
for Calicut, on board of which they put one Captain Fawkes; and some of
the crew interceding for Mackra's officer, Taylor and his party replied,
"If we let this dog go, who has overheard our designs and resolutions,
he will overset all our well-advised resolutions, and particularly this
supply we are seeking for at the hands of the Dutch."

When they arrived at Cochin, they sent a letter on shore by a
fishing-boat, entered the road, and anchored, each ship saluting the
fort with eleven guns, and receiving the same number in return. This was
the token of their welcome reception, and at night a large boat was
sent, deeply laden with liquors and all kinds of provisions, and in it a
servant of John Trumpet, one of their friends, to inform them that it
would be necessary for them to run farther south, where they would be
supplied both with provisions and naval stores.

They had scarcely anchored at the appointed place, when several canoes,
with white and black inhabitants, came on board, and continued without
interruption to perform all the good offices in their power during their
stay in that place. In particular, John Trumpet brought a large boat of
arrack, and sixty bales of sugar, as a present from the governor and his
daughter; the former receiving in return a table-clock, and the other a
gold watch, the spoil of Captain Mackra's vessel. When their provisions
were all on board, Trumpet was rewarded with about six or seven thousand
pounds, was saluted with three cheers, and eleven guns; and several
handsfull of silver were thrown into the boat, for the men to gather at
pleasure.

There being little wind that night, they remained at anchor, and in the
morning were surprised with the return of Trumpet, bringing another boat
equally well stored with provisions, with chests of piece-goods and
ready-made clothes, and along with him the fiscal of the place. At noon
they espied a sail towards the south, and immediately gave chase, but
she outsailed them, and sheltered under the fort of Cochin. Informed
that they would not be molested in taking her from under the castle,
they sailed towards her, but upon the fort firing two guns, they ran
off for fear of more serious altercation, and returning, anchored in
their former station. They were too welcome visitants to be permitted to
depart, so long as John Trumpet could contrive to detain them. With this
view he informed them, that in a few days a rich vessel, commanded by
the Governor of Bombay's brother, was to pass that way.

That government is certainly in a wretched state, which is under the
necessity of trading with pirates, in order to enrich itself; nor will
such a government hesitate by what means an injury can be repaired, or a
fortune gained. Neither can language describe the low and base
principles of a government which could employ such a miscreant as John
Trumpet in its service. He was a tool in the hands of the government of
Cochin; and, as the dog said in the fable, "What is done by the master's
orders, is the master's action;" or, as the same sentiment is, perhaps,
better expressed in the legal axiom; "Qui facit per alium facit per se."

While under the direction of Trumpet, some proposed to proceed directly
to Madagascar, but others were disposed to wait until they should be
provided with a store ship. The majority being of the latter opinion,
they steered to the south, and seeing a ship on shore were desirous to
get near her, but the wind preventing, they separated, the one sailing
northward and the other southward, in hopes of securing her when she
should come out, whatever direction she might take. They were now,
however, almost entrapped in the snare laid for them. In the morning, to
their astonishment and consternation, instead of being called to give
chase, five large ships were near, which made a signal for the pirates
to bear down. The pirates were in the greatest dread lest it should be
Captain Mackra, of whose activity and courage they had formerly
sufficient proof. The pirate ships, however, joined and fled with all
speed from the fleet. In three hours' chase none of the fleet gained
upon them, except one grab. The remainder of the day was calm, and, to
their great consolation, the next day this dreaded fleet was entirely
out of sight.

Their alarm being over, they resolved to spend the Christmas in feasting
and mirth, in order to drown care, and to banish thought. Nor did one
day suffice, but they continued their revelling for several days, and
made so free with their fresh provisions, that in their next cruise they
were put upon short allowance; and it was entirely owing to the sugar
and other provisions that were in the leaky ship that they were
preserved from absolute starvation.

In this condition they reached the island of Mauritius, refitted the
Victory, and left that place with the following inscription written upon
one of the walls: "Left this place on the 5th of April, to go to
Madagascar for Limos." This they did lest any visit should be paid to
the place during their absence. They, however, did not sail directly for
Madagascar, but the island of Mascarius, where they fortunately fell in
with a Portuguese of seventy guns, lying at anchor. The greater part of
her guns had been thrown overboard, her masts lost, and the whole vessel
disabled by a storm; she therefore, became an easy prey to the pirates.
Conde de Ericeira, Viceroy of Goa, who went upon the fruitless
expedition against Angria the Indian, and several passengers, were on
board. Besides other valuable articles and specie, they found in her
diamonds to the amount of four millions of dollars. Supposing that the
ship was an Englishman, the Viceroy came on board next morning, was made
prisoner, and obliged to pay two thousand dollars as a ransom for
himself and the other prisoners. After this he was sent ashore, with an
express engagement to leave a ship to convey him and his companions to
another port.

Meanwhile, the pirates received intelligence that a vessel was to the
leeward of the island, which they pursued and captured. But instead of
performing their promise to the Viceroy, which they could easily have
done, they sent the Ostender along with some of their men to Madagascar,
to inform their friends of their success, with instructions to prepare
masts for the prize; and they soon followed, carrying two thousand
negroes in the Portuguese vessel.

Madagascar is an island larger than Great Britain, situated upon the
eastern coast of Africa, abounding with all sorts of provisions, such as
oxen, goats, sheep, poultry, fish, citrons, oranges, tamarinds, dates,
cocoa-nuts, bananas, wax, honey, rice, cotton, indigo, and all other
fruits common in that quarter of the globe; ebony of which lances are
made, gums of several kinds, and many other valuable productions. Here,
in St. Augustine's bay, the ships sometimes stop to take in water, when
they make the inner passage to India, and do not intend to stop at
Johanna.

When the Portuguese ship arrived there, they received intelligence that
the Ostender had taken advantage of an hour when the men were
intoxicated, had risen upon them, and carried the ship to Mozambique,
from whence the governor ordered her to Goa.

The pirates now divided their plunder, receiving forty-two diamonds per
man, or in smaller proportion according to their magnitude. A foolish
jocular fellow, who had received a large diamond of the value of
forty-two, was highly displeased, and so went and broke it in pieces,
exclaiming, that he had many more shares than either of them. Some,
contended with their treasure, and unwilling to run the risk of losing
what they possessed, and perhaps their lives also, resolved to remain
with their friends at Madagascar, under the stipulation that the longest
livers should enjoy all the booty. The number of adventurers being now
lessened, they burned the Viceroy, cleaned the Cassandra, and the
remainder went on board her under the command of Taylor, whom we must
leave for a little while, in order to give an account of the squadron
which arrived in India in 1721.

When the commodore arrived at the Cape, he received a letter that had
been written by the Governor of Pondicherry to the Governor of Madras,
informing him that the pirates were strong in the Indian seas; that they
had eleven sail, and fifteen hundred men; but adding, that many of them
retired about that time to Brazil and Guinea, while others fortified
themselves at Madagascar, Mauritius, Johanna, and Mohilla; and that a
crew under the command of Condin, in a ship called the Dragon, had
captured a vessel with thirteen lacks of rupees on board, and having
divided their plunder, had taken up their residence with their friends
at Madagascar.

Upon receiving this intelligence, Commodore Matthews sailed for these
islands, as the most probable place of success. He endeavored to prevail
on England, at St. Mary's, to communicate to him what information he
could give respecting the pirates; but England declined, thinking that
this would be almost to surrender at discretion. He then took up the
guns of the Jubilee sloop that were on board, and the men-of-war made
several cruises in search of the pirates, but to no purpose. The
squadron was then sent down to Bombay, was saluted by the fort, and
after these exploits returned home.

The pirate, Captain Taylor, in the Cassandra, now fitted up the
Portuguese man-of-war, and resolved upon another voyage to the Indies;
but, informed that four men-of-war had been sent after the pirates in
that quarter, he changed his determination, and sailed for Africa.
Arrived there, they put in a place near the river Spirito Sancto, on the
coast of Monomotapa. As there was no correspondence by land, nor any
trade carried on by sea to this place, they thought that it would afford
a safe retreat. To their astonishment, however, when they approached the
shore, it being in the dusk of the evening, they were accosted by
several shot. They immediately anchored, and in the morning saw that
the shot had come from a small fort of six guns, which they attacked and
destroyed.

This small fort was erected by the Dutch East India Company a few weeks
before, and committed to the care of 150 men, the one half of whom had
perished by sickness or other causes. Upon their petition, sixteen of
these were admitted into the society of the pirates; and the rest would
also have been received, had they not been Dutchmen, to whom they had a
rooted aversion.

In this place they continued during four months, refitting their
vessels, and amusing themselves with all manner of diversions, until the
scarcity of their provisions awakened them to industry and exertion.
They, however, left several parcels of goods to the starving Dutchmen,
which Mynheer joyfully exchanged for provisions with the next vessel
that touched at that fort.

Leaving that place, they were divided in opinion what course to steer;
some went on board the Portuguese prize, and, sailing for Madagascar,
abandoned the pirate life; and others going on board the Cassandra,
sailed for the Spanish West Indies. The Mermaid man-of-war, returning
from a convoy, got near the pirates, and would have attacked them, but a
consultation being held, it was deemed inexpedient, and thus the pirates
escaped. A sloop was, however, dispatched to Jamaica with the
intelligence, and the Lancaster was sent after them; but they were some
days too late, the pirates having, with all their riches, surrendered to
the Governor of Portobello.




ACCOUNT OF THE LYNN PIRATES


_And Thomas Veal, who was buried in his cave by the Great Earthquake_.

In the year 1658 there was a great earthquake in New-England. Some time
previous, on one pleasant evening, a little after sunset, a small vessel
was seen to anchor near the mouth of Saugus river. A boat was presently
lowered from her side, into which four men descended, and moved up the
river a considerable distance, when they landed, and proceeded directly
into the woods. They had been noticed by only a few individuals; but in
those early times, when the people were surrounded by danger, and easily
susceptible of alarm, such an incident was well calculated to awaken
suspicion, and in the course of the evening the intelligence was
conveyed to many houses. In the morning, the people naturally directed
their eyes toward the shore, in search of the strange vessel--but she
was gone, and no trace could be found either of her or her singular
crew. It was afterwards ascertained that, on the morning one of the men
at the Iron Works, on going into the foundry, discovered a paper, on
which was written, that if a quantity of shackles, handcuffs, hatchets,
and other articles of iron manufacture, were made and deposited, with
secrecy, in a certain place in the woods, which was particularly
designated, an amount of silver, to their full value, would be found in
their place. The articles were made in a few days, and placed in
conformity with the directions. On the next morning they were gone, and
the money was found according to the promise; but though a watch had
been kept, no vessel was seen. Some months afterwards, the four men
returned, and selected one of the most secluded and romantic spots in
the woods of Saugus, for their abode. The place of their retreat was a
deep narrow valley, shut in on two sides by craggy, precipitous rocks,
and shrouded on the others by thick pines, hemlocks and cedars, between
which there was only one small spot, to which the rays of the sun at
noon could penetrate. On climbing up the rude and almost perpendicular
steps of the rock on either side, the eye could command a full view of
the bay on the south, and a prospect of a considerable portion of the
surrounding country. The place of their retreat has ever since been
called the Pirates' Glen, and they could not have selected a spot on the
coast for many miles, more favorable for the purposes both of
concealment and observation. Even at this day, when the neighborhood has
become thickly peopled, it is still a lonely and desolate place, and
probably not one in a hundred of the inhabitants has ever descended into
its silent and gloomy recess. There the pirates built a small hut, made
a garden, and dug a well, the appearance of which is still visible. It
has been supposed that they buried money; but though people have dug
there, and in many other places, none has ever been found. After
residing there some time, their retreat became known, and one of the
king's cruizers appeared on the coast. They were traced to their glen,
and three of them were taken, and carried to England, where it is
probable they were executed. The other, whose name was Thomas Veal,
escaped to a rock in the woods, about two miles to the north, in which
was a spacious cavern, where the pirates had previously deposited some
of their plunder. There the fugitive fixed his residence, and practised
the trade of a shoemaker, occasionally coming down to the village to
obtain articles of sustenance. He continued his residence till the great
earthquake in 1658, when the top of the rock was loosened, and crushed
down into the mouth of the cavern, enclosing the unfortunate inmate in
its unyielding prison. It has ever since been called the Pirate's
Dungeon. A part of the cavern is still open, and is much visited by the
curious.

This rock is situated on a lofty range of thickly wooded hills, and
commands an extensive view of the ocean, for fifty miles both north and
south. A view from the top of it, at once convinces the beholder that it
would be impossible to select a place more convenient for the haunt of a
gang of pirates; as all vessels bound in and out of the harbors of
Boston, Salem, and the adjacent ports, can be distinctly seen from its
summit. Saugus river meanders among the hills a short distance to the
south, and its numerous creeks which extend among thick bushes, would
afford good places to secrete boats, until such time as the pirates
descried a sail, when they could instantly row down the river, attack
and plunder them, and with their booty return to the cavern. This was
evidently their mode of procedure. On an open space in front of the rock
are still to be seen distinct traces of a small garden spot, and in the
corner is a small well, full of stones and rubbish; the foundation of
the wall round the garden remains, and shows that the spot was of a
triangular shape, and was well selected for the cultivation of potatoes
and common vegetables. The aperture in the rock is only about five feet
in height, and extends only fifteen feet into the rock. The needle is
strongly attracted around this, either by the presence of magnetic iron
ore or some metallic substance buried in the interior.

The Pirates' Glen, which is some distance from this, is one of Nature's
wildest and most picturesque spots, and the cellar of the pirate's hut
remains to the present time, as does a clear space, which was evidently
cultivated at some remote period.

[Illustration: _The Dungeon Rock and Pirate's Cave, at Lynn, Mass._]




HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES


_And their Depredations on the Coast of China: with an Account of the
Enterprises and Victories of Mistress Ching, a Female Pirate_.

The Ladrones as they were christened by the Portuguese at Macao, were
originally a disaffected set of Chinese, that revolted against the
oppression of the Mandarins. The first scene of their depredations was
the Western coast, about Cochin China, where they began by attacking
small trading vessels in row boats, carrying from thirty to forty men
each. They continued this system of piracy, and thrived and increased in
numbers under it, for several years. At length the fame of their
success, and the oppression and horrid poverty and want that many of the
lower orders of Chinese labored under, had the effect of augmenting
their bands with astonishing rapidity. Fishermen and other destitute
classes flocked by hundreds to their standard, and their audacity
growing with their numbers, they not merely swept the coast, but
blockaded all the rivers and attacked and took several large government
war junks, mounting from ten to fifteen guns each.--These junks being
added to their shoals of boats, the pirates formed a tremendous fleet,
which was always along shore, so that no small vessel could safely trade
on the coast. When they lacked prey on the sea, they laid the land under
tribute. They were at first accustomed to go on shore and attack the
maritime villages, but becoming bolder, like the Buccaneers, made long
inland journeys, and surprised and plundered even large towns.

An energetic attempt made by the Chinese government to destroy them,
only increased their strength; for in their first encounter with the
pirates, twenty-eight of the Imperial junks struck, and the remaining
twelve saved themselves, by a precipitate retreat.

The captured junks, fully equipped for war, were a great acquisition to
the robbers, whose numbers now increased more rapidly than ever. They
were in their plenitude of power in the year 1809, when Mr. Glasspoole
had the misfortune to fall into their hands, at which time that
gentleman supposed their force to consist of 70,000 men, navigating
eight hundred large vessels, and one thousand small ones, including row
boats. They were divided into six large squadrons, under different
flags;--the red, the yellow, the green, the blue, the black and the
white. "These wasps of the Ocean," as a Chinese historian calls them,
were further distinguished by the names of their respective commanders:
by these commanders a certain _Ching-yih_ had been the most
distinguished by his valor and conduct. By degrees, Ching obtained
almost a supremacy of command over the whole united fleet; and so
confident was this robber in his strength and daily augmenting means,
that he aspired to the dignity of a king, and went so far as openly to
declare his patriotic intention of hurling the present Tartar family
from the throne of China, and of restoring the ancient Chinese dynasty.
But unfortunately for the ambitious pirate, he perished in a heavy gale,
and instead of placing a sovereign on the Chinese throne, he and his
lofty aspirations were buried in the yellow sea. And now comes the most
remarkable passage in the history of these pirates--remarkable with any
class of men, but doubly so among the Chinese, who entertain more than
the general oriental opinion of the inferiority of the fair sex. On the
death of _Ching-yih,_ his legitimate wife had sufficient influence over
the freebooters to induce them to recognize her authority in the place
of her deceased husband's, and she appointed one _Paou_ as her
lieutenant and prime minister, and provided that she should be
considered the mistress or commander-in-chief of the united squadrons.

This _Paou_ had been a poor fisher-boy, picked up with his father at
sea, while fishing, by _Ching-yih,_ whose good will and favor he had the
fortune to captivate, and by whom, before that pirate's death, he had
been made a captain. Instead of declining under the rule of a woman, the
pirates became more enterprising than ever. Ching's widow was clever as
well as brave, and so was her lieutenant Paou. Between them they drew up
a code of law for the better regulation of the freebooters.

In this it was decreed, that if any man went privately on shore, or did
what they called "transgressing the bars," he should have his ears slit
in the presence of the whole fleet; a repetition of the same unlawful
act, was death! No one article, however trifling in value, was to be
privately subtracted from the booty or plundered goods. Every thing they
took was regularly entered on the register of their stores. The
following clause of Mistress _Ching's_ code is still more delicate. No
person shall debauch at his pleasure captive women, taken in the
villages and open places, and brought on board a ship; he must first
request the ship's purser for permission, and then go aside in the
ship's hold. To use violence, against any woman, or to wed her, without
permission, shall be punished with death.

By these means an admirable discipline was maintained on board the
ships, and the peasantry on shore never let the pirates want for
gunpowder, provisions, or any other necessary. On a piratical
expedition, either to advance or retreat without orders, was a capital
offence. Under these philosophical institutions, and the guidance of a
woman, the robbers continued to scour the China sea, plundering every
vessel they came near. The Great War Mandarin, Kwolang-lin sailed from
the Bocca Tigris into the sea to fight the pirates. Paou gave him a
tremendous drubbing, and gained a splendid victory. In this battle which
lasted from morning to night, the Mandarin Kwolang-lin, a desperate
fellow himself, levelled a gun at Paou, who fell on the deck as the
piece went off; his disheartened crew concluded it was all over with
him. But Paou was quick eyed. He had seen the unfriendly intention of
the mandarin, and thrown himself down. The Great Mandarin was soon after
taken with fifteen junks; three were sunk. The pirate lieutenant would
have dealt mercifully with him, but the fierce old man suddenly seized
him by the hair on the crown of his head, and grinned at him, so that he
might provoke him to slay him. But even then Paou spoke kindly to him.
Upon this he committed suicide, being seventy years of age.

After several victories and reverses, the Chinese historian says our
men-of-war escorting some merchant ships, happened to meet the pirate
chief nicknamed "The Jewel of the Crew" cruising at sea. The traders
became exceedingly frightened, but our commander said,--This not being
the flag of the widow Ching-yih, we are a match for them, therefore we
will attack and conquer them. Then ensued a battle; they attacked each
other with guns and stones, and many people were killed and wounded. The
fighting ceased towards evening, and began again next morning. The
pirates and the men-of-war were very close to each other, and they
boasted mutually about their strength and valor. The traders remained at
some distance; they saw the pirates mixing gunpowder in their
beverage,--they looked instantly red about the face and the eyes, and
then fought desperately. This fighting continued three days and nights
incessantly; at last, becoming tired on both sides, they separated.

To understand this inglorious bulletin, the reader must remember that
many of the combatants only handled bows and arrows, and pelted stones,
and that Chinese powder and guns are both exceedingly bad. The pathos
of the conclusion does somewhat remind one of the Irishman's despatch
during the American war,--"It was a bloody battle while it lasted; and
the searjent of marines lost his cartouche box."

The Admiral Ting River was sent to sea against them. This man was
surprised at anchor by the ever vigilant Paou, to whom many fishermen
and other people on the coast, must have acted as friendly spies. Seeing
escape impossible, and that his officers stood pale and inactive by the
flag-staff, the Admiral conjured them, by their fathers and mothers,
their wives and children, and by the hopes of brilliant reward if they
succeeded, and of vengeance if they perished, to do their duty, and the
combat began. The Admiral had the good fortune, at the onset, of killing
with one of his great guns the pirate captain, "The Jewel of the Crew."
But the robbers swarmed thicker and thicker around him, and when the
dreaded Paou lay him by the board, without help or hope, the Mandarin
killed himself. An immense number of his men perished in the sea, and
twenty-five vessels were lost. After his defeat, it was resolved by the
Chinese Government to cut off all their supplies of food, and starve
them out. All vessels that were in port were ordered to remain there,
and those at sea, or on the coast ordered to return with all speed. But
the pirates, full of confidence, now resolved to attack the harbors
themselves, and to ascend the rivers, which are navigable for many miles
up the country, and rob the villages. The consternation was great when
the Chinese saw them venturing above the government forts.

The pirates separated: Mistress Ching plundering in one place, Paou in
another, and O-po-tae in another, &c.

It was at this time that Mr. Glasspoole had the ill fortune to fall into
their power. This gentlemen, then an officer in the East India Company's
ship the Marquis of Ely, which was anchored under an island about twelve
miles from Macao, was ordered to proceed to the latter place with a
boat to procure a pilot. He left the ship in one of the cutters, with
seven British seamen well armed, on the 17th September, 1809. He reached
Macao in safety, and having done his business there and procured a
pilot, returned towards the ship the following day. But, unfortunately,
the ship had weighed anchor and was under sail, and in consequence of
squally weather, accompanied with thick fogs, the boat could not reach
her, and Mr. Glasspoole and his men and the pilot were left at sea, in
an open boat. "Our situation," says that gentleman, "was truly
distressing--night closing fast, with a threatening appearance, blowing
fresh, with a hard rain and a heavy sea; our boat very leaky, without a
compass, anchor, or provisions, and drifting fast on a lee-shore,
surrounded with dangerous rocks, and inhabited by the most barbarous
pirates."

After suffering dreadfully for three whole days, Mr. Glasspoole, by the
advice of the pilot, made for a narrow channel, where he presently
discovered three large boats at anchor, which, on seeing the English
boat, weighed and made sail towards it. The pilot told Mr. Glasspoole
they were Ladrones, and that if they captured the boat, they would
certainly put them all to death! After rowing tremendously for six hours
they escaped these boats, but on the following morning falling in with a
large fleet of the pirates, which the English mistook for fishing-boats,
they were captured.

"About twenty savage-looking villains," says Mr. Glasspoole, "who were
stowed at the bottom of the boat, leaped on board us. They were armed
with a short sword in either hand, one of which they layed upon our
necks, and pointed the other to our breasts, keeping their eyes fixed on
their officer, waiting his signal to cut or desist. Seeing we were
incapable of making any resistance, the officer sheathed his sword, and
the others immediately followed his example. They then dragged us into
their boat, and carried us on board one of their junks, with the most
savage demonstrations of joy, and, as we supposed, to torture and put us
to a cruel death."

When on board the junk they rifled the Englishmen, and brought heavy
chains to chain them to the deck.

"At this time a boat came, and took me, with one of my men and an
interpreter, on board the chief's vessel. I was then taken before the
chief. He was seated on deck, in a large chair, dressed in purple silk,
with a black turban on. He appeared to be about thirty years of age, a
stout commanding-looking man. He took me by the coat, and drew me close
to him; then questioned the interpreter very strictly, asking who we
were, and what was our business in that part of the country. I told him
to say we were Englishmen in distress, having been four days at sea
without provisions. This he would not credit, but said we were bad men,
and that he would put us all to death; and then ordered some men to put
the interpreter to the torture until he confessed the truth. Upon this
occasion, a Ladrone, who had been once to England and spoke a few words
of English, came to the chief, and told him we were really Englishmen,
and that we had plenty of money, adding that the buttons on my coat were
gold. The chief then ordered us some coarse brown rice, of which we made
a tolerable meal, having eaten nothing for nearly four days, except a
few green oranges. During our repast, a number of Ladrones crowded round
us, examining our clothes and hair, and giving us every possible
annoyance. Several of them brought swords, and laid them on our necks,
making signs that they would soon take us on shore, and cut us in
pieces, which I am sorry to say was the fate of some hundreds during my
captivity. I was now summoned before the chief, who had been conversing
with the interpreter: he said I must write to my captain, and tell him,
if he did not send an hundred thousand dollars for our ransom, in ten
days he would put us all to death."

After vainly expostulating to lessen the ransom, Mr. Glasspoole wrote
the letter, and a small boat came alongside and took it to Macao.

Early in the night the fleet sailed, and anchored about one o'clock the
following day in a bay under the island of Lantow, where the head
admiral of Ladrones (our acquaintance Paou) was lying at anchor, with
about two hundred vessels and a Portuguese brig they had captured a few
days before, and the captain and part of the crew of which they had
murdered. Early the next morning, a fishing-boat came to inquire if they
had captured an European boat; they came to the vessel the English were
in.

"One of the boatmen spoke a few words of English, and told me he had a
Ladrone-pass, and was sent by our captain in search of us; I was rather
surprised to find he had no letter. He appeared to be well acquainted
with the chief, and remained in his cabin smoking opium, and playing
cards all the day. In the evening I was summoned with the interpreter
before the chief. He questioned us in a much milder tone, saying, he now
believed we were Englishmen, a people he wished to be friendly with; and
that if our captain would lend him seventy thousand dollars till he
returned from his cruise up the river, he would repay him, and send us
all to Macao. I assured him it was useless writing on these terms, and
unless our ransom was speedily settled, the English fleet would sail,
and render our enlargement altogether ineffectual. He remained
determined, and said if it were not sent, he would keep us, and make us
fight, or put us to death. I accordingly wrote, and gave my letter to
the man belonging to the boat before mentioned. He said he could not
return with an answer in less than five days. The chief now gave me the
letter I wrote when first taken. I have never been able to ascertain his
reasons for detaining it, but suppose he dared not negociate for our
ransom without orders from the head admiral, who I understood was sorry
at our being captured. He said the English ships would join the
Mandarins and attack them."

While the fleet lay here, one night the Portuguese who were left in the
captured brig murdered the Ladrones that were on board of her, cut the
cables, and fortunately escaped through the darkness of the night.

"At day-light the next morning, the fleet, amounting to above five
hundred sail of different sizes, weighed, to proceed on their intended
cruise up the rivers, to levy contributions on the towns and villages.
It is impossible to describe what were my feelings at this critical
time, having received no answers to my letters, and the fleet under-way
to sail--hundreds of miles up a country never visited by Europeans,
there to remain probably for many months, which would render all
opportunities for negotiating for our enlargement totally ineffectual;
as the only method of communication is by boats that have a pass from
the Ladrones, and they dare not venture above twenty miles from Macao,
being obliged to come and go in the night, to avoid the Mandarins; and
if these boats should be detected in having any intercourse with the
Ladrones, they are immediately put to death, and all their relations,
though they had not joined in the crime, share in the punishment, in
order that not a single person of their families should be left to
imitate their crimes or avenge their death."

The following is a very touching incident in Mr. Glasspoole's narrative.

"Wednesday the 26th of September, at day-light, we passed in sight of
our own ships, at anchor under the island of Chun Po. The chief then
called me, pointed to the ships, and told the interpreter to tell us to
look at them, for we should never see them again! About noon we entered
a river to the westward of the Bogue. Three or four miles from the
entrance we passed a large town situated on the side of a beautiful
hill, which is tributary to the Ladrones; the inhabitants saluted them
with songs as they passed."

After committing numerous minor robberies, "The Ladrones now prepared to
attack a town with a formidable force, collected in row-boats from the
different vessels. They sent a messenger to the town, demanding a
tribute of ten thousand dollars annually, saying, if these terms were
not complied with, they would land, destroy the town, and murder all the
inhabitants: which they would certainly have done, had the town laid in
a more advantageous situation for their purpose; but being placed out of
the reach of their shot, they allowed them to come to terms. The
inhabitants agreed to pay six thousand dollars, which they were to
collect by the time of our return down the river. This finesse had the
desired effect, for during our absence they mounted a few guns on a
hill, which commanded the passage, and gave us in lieu of the dollars, a
warm salute on our return.

"October the 1st, the fleet weighed in the night, dropped by the tide up
the river, and anchored very quietly before a town surrounded by a thick
wood. Early in the morning the Ladrones assembled in row-boats, and
landed; then gave a shout, and rushed into the town, sword in hand. The
inhabitants fled to the adjacent hills, in numbers apparently superior
to the Ladrones. We may easily imagine to ourselves the horror with
which these miserable people must be seized, on being obliged to leave
their homes, and everything dear to them. It was a most melancholy sight
to see women in tears, clasping their infants in their arms, and
imploring mercy for them from those brutal robbers! The old and the
sick, who were unable to fly, or make resistance, were either made
prisoners or most inhumanly butchered! The boats continued passing and
repassing from the junks to the shore, in quick succession, laden with
booty, and the men besmeared with blood! Two hundred and fifty women
and several children, were made prisoners, and sent on board different
vessels. They were unable to escape with the men, owing to that
abominable practice of cramping their feet; several of them were not
able to move without assistance. In fact, they might all be said to
totter, rather than walk. Twenty of these poor women were sent on board
the vessel I was in; they were hauled on board by the hair, and treated
in a most savage manner. When the chief came on board, he questioned
them respecting the circumstances of their friends, and demanded ransoms
accordingly, from six thousand to six hundred dollars each. He ordered
them a berth on deck, at the after part of the vessel, where they had
nothing to shelter them from the weather, which at this time was very
variable--the days excessively hot, and the nights cold, with heavy
rains. The town being plundered of everything valuable, it was set on
fire, and reduced to ashes by the morning. The fleet remained here three
days, negotiating for the ransom of the prisoners, and plundering the
fish-tanks and gardens. During all this time, the Chinese never ventured
from the hills, though there were frequently not more than a hundred
Ladrones on shore at a time, and I am sure the people on the hills
exceeded ten times that number.

"On the 10th we formed a junction with the Black-squadron, and proceeded
many miles up a wide and beautiful river, passing several ruins of
villages that had been destroyed by the Black-squadron. On the 17th, the
fleet anchored abreast four mud batteries, which defended a town, so
entirely surrounded with wood, that it was impossible to form any idea
of its size. The weather was very hazy, with hard squalls of rain. The
Ladrones remained perfectly quiet for two days. On the third day the
forts commenced a brisk fire for several hours: the Ladrones did not
return a single shot, but weighed in the night and dropped down the
river. The reasons they gave for not attacking the town, or returning
the fire, were, that Joss had not promised them success. They are very
superstitious, and consult their idol on all occasions. If his omens are
good, they will undertake the most daring enterprises. The fleet now
anchored opposite the ruins of the town where the women had been made
prisoners. Here we remained five or six days, during which time about an
hundred of the women were ransomed; the remainder were offered for sale
amongst the Ladrones, for forty dollars each. The woman is considered
the lawful wife of the purchaser, who would be put to death if he
discarded her. Several of them leaped overboard and drowned themselves,
rather than submit to such infamous degradation.

"Mei-ying, the wife of Ke-choo-yang, was very beautiful, and a pirate
being about to seize her by the head, she abused him exceedingly. The
pirate bound her to the yard-arm; but on abusing him yet more, the
pirate dragged her down and broke two of her teeth, which filled her
mouth and jaws with blood. The pirate sprang up again to bind her. Ying
allowed him to approach, but as soon as he came near her, she laid hold
of his garments with her bleeding mouth, and threw both him and herself
into the river, where they were drowned. The remaining captives of both
sexes were after some months liberated, on having paid a ransom of
fifteen thousand leang or ounces of silver.

"The fleet then weighed," continues Mr. Glasspoole, "and made sail down
the river, to receive the ransom from the town before-mentioned. As we
passed the hill, they fired several shot at us, but without effect. The
Ladrones were much exasperated, and determined to revenge themselves;
they dropped out of reach of their shot, and anchored. Every junk sent
about a hundred men each on shore, to cut paddy, and destroy their
orange-groves, which was most effectually performed for several miles
down the river. During our stay here, they received information of nine
boats lying up a creek, laden with paddy; boats were immediately
despatched after them. Next morning these boats were brought to the
fleet; ten or twelve men were taken in them. As these had made no
resistance, the chief said he would allow them to become Ladrones, if
they agreed to take the usual oaths before Joss. Three or four of them
refused to comply, for which they were punished in the following cruel
manner: their hands were tied behind their backs, a rope from the
masthead rove through their arms, and hoisted three or four feet from
the deck, and five or six men flogged them with their rattans twisted
together till they were apparently dead; then hoisted them up to the
mast-head, and left them hanging nearly an hour, then lowered them down,
and repeated the punishment, till they died or complied with the oath.

"On the 28th of October, I received a letter from Captain Kay, brought by
a fisherman, who had told him he would get us all back for three
thousand dollars. He advised me to offer three thousand, and if not
accepted, extend it to four; but not farther, as it was bad policy to
offer much at first: at the same time assuring me we should be
liberated, let the ransom be what it would. I offered the chief the
three thousand, which he disdainfully refused, saying he was not to be
played with; and unless they sent ten thousand dollars, and two large
guns, with several casks of gunpowder, he would soon put us to death. I
wrote to Captain Kay, and informed him of the chief's determination,
requesting, if an opportunity offered, to send us a shift of clothes,
for which it may be easily imagined we were much distressed, having been
seven weeks without a shift; although constantly exposed to the weather,
and of course frequently wet.

"On the first of November, the fleet sailed up a narrow river, and
anchored at night within two miles of a town called Little Whampoa. In
front of it was a small fort, and several Mandarin vessels lying in the
harbor. The chief sent the interpreter to me, saying, I must order my
men to make cartridges and clean their muskets, ready to go on shore in
the morning. I assured the interpreter I should give the men no such
orders, that they must please themselves. Soon after the chief came on
board, threatening to put us all to a cruel death if we refused to obey
his orders. For my own part I remained determined, and advised the men
not to comply, as I thought by making ourselves useful we should be
accounted too valuable. A few hours afterwards he sent to me again,
saying, that if myself and the quarter-master would assist them at the
great guns, that if also the rest of the men went on shore and succeeded
in taking the place, he would then take the money offered for our
ransom, and give them twenty dollars for every Chinaman's head they cut
off. To these proposals we cheerfully acceded, in hopes of facilitating
our deliverance.

"The Mandarin vessels continued firing, having blocked up the entrance of
the harbor to prevent the Ladrone boats entering. At this the Ladrones
were much exasperated, and about three hundred of them swam on shore,
with a short sword lashed close under each arm; they then ran along the
banks of the river till they came abreast of the vessels, and then swam
off again and boarded them. The Chinese thus attacked, leaped overboard,
and endeavored to reach the opposite shore; the Ladrones followed, and
cut the greater number of them to pieces in the water. They next towed
the vessels out of the harbor, and attacked the town with increased
fury. The inhabitants fought about a quarter of an hour, and then
retreated to an adjacent hill, from which they were soon driven with
great slaughter. After this the Ladrones returned, and plundered the
town, every boat leaving it with lading. The Chinese on the hills
perceiving most of the boats were off, rallied, and retook the town,
after killing near two hundred Ladrones. One of my men was
unfortunately lost in this dreadful massacre! The Ladrones landed a
second time, drove the Chinese out of the town, then reduced it to
ashes, and put all their prisoners to death, without regarding either
age or sex! I must not omit to mention a most horrid (though ludicrous)
circumstance which happened at this place. The Ladrones were paid by
their chief ten dollars for every Chinaman's head they produced. One of
my men turning the corner of a street was met by a Ladrone running
furiously after a Chinese; he had a drawn sword in his hand, and two
Chinaman's heads which he had cut off, tied by their tails, and slung
round his neck. I was witness myself to some of them producing five or
six to obtain payment!

"On the 4th of November an order arrived from the admiral for the fleet
to proceed immediately to Lantow, where he was lying with only two
vessels, and three Portuguese ships and a brig constantly annoying him;
several sail of Mandarin vessels were daily expected. The fleet weighed
and proceeded towards Lantow. On passing the island of Lintin, three
ships and a brig gave chase to us. The Ladrones prepared to board; but
night closing we lost sight of them: I am convinced they altered their
course and stood from us. These vessels were in the pay of the Chinese
Government, and styled themselves the Invincible Squadron, cruising in
the river Tigris to annihilate the Ladrones!

"On the fifth, in the morning, the red squadron anchored in a bay under
Lantow; the black squadron stood to the eastward. In the afternoon of
the 8th of November, four ships, a brig, and a schooner came off the
mouth of the bay. At first the pirates were much alarmed, supposing them
to be English vessels come to rescue us. Some of them threatened to hang
us to the mast-head for them to fire at; and with much difficulty we
persuaded them that they were Portuguese. The Ladrones had only seven
junks in a fit state for action; these they hauled outside, and moored
them head and stern across the bay, and manned all the boats belonging
to the repairing vessels ready for boarding. The Portuguese observing
these manoeuvres hove to, and communicated by boats. Soon afterwards
they made sail, each ship firing her broadside as she passed, but
without effect, the shot falling far short. The Ladrones did not return
a single shot, but waved their colors, and threw up rockets, to induce
them to come further in, which they might easily have done, the outside
junks lying in four fathoms water, which I sounded myself: though the
Portuguese in their letters to Macao lamented there was not sufficient
water for them to engage closer, but that they would certainly prevent
their escaping before the Mandarin fleet arrived!

[Illustration: _A Ladrone Pirate, cutting off the Heads of the Chinese._]

"On the 20th of November, early in the morning, discovered an immense
fleet of Mandarin vessels standing for the bay. On nearing us, they
formed a line, and stood close in; each vessel, as she discharged her
guns, tacked to join the rear and reload. They kept up a constant fire
for about two hours, when one of their largest vessels was blown up by a
firebrand thrown from a Ladrone junk; after which they kept at a more
respectful distance, but continued firing without intermission till the
21st at night, when it fell calm. The Ladrones towed out seven large
vessels, with about two hundred row-boats to board them: but a breeze
springing up, they made sail and escaped. The Ladrones returned into the
bay, and anchored. The Portuguese and Mandarins followed, and continued
a heavy cannonading during that night and the next day. The vessel I was
in had her foremast shot away, which they supplied very expeditiously by
taking a mainmast from a smaller vessel.

"On the 23d, in the evening, it again fell calm; the Ladrones towed out
fifteen junks in two divisions, with the intention of surrounding them,
which was nearly effected, having come up with and boarded one, when a
breeze suddenly sprang up. The captured vessel mounted twenty-two guns.
Most of her crew leaped overboard; sixty or seventy were taken,
immediately cut to pieces, and thrown into the river. Early in the
morning the Ladrones returned into the bay, and anchored in the same
situation as before. The Portuguese and Mandarins followed, keeping up a
constant fire. The Ladrones never returned a single shot, but always
kept in readiness to board, and the Portuguese were careful never to
allow them an opportunity.

"On the 28th, at night they sent eight fire-vessels, which, if properly
constructed, must have done great execution, having every advantage they
could wish for to effect their purpose; a strong breeze and tide
directed into the bay, and the vessels lying so close together, that it
was impossible to miss them. On their first appearance, the Ladrones
gave a general shout, supposing them to be Mandarin vessels on fire, but
were very soon convinced of their mistake. They came very regularly into
the centre of the fleet, two and two, burning furiously; one of them
came alongside of the vessel I was in, but they succeeded in booming her
off. She appeared to be a vessel of about thirty tons; her hold was
filled with straw and wood, and there were a few small boxes of
combustibles on her deck, which exploded alongside of us without doing
any damage. The Ladrones, however, towed them all on shore, extinguished
the fire, and broke them up for firewood. The Portuguese claim the
credit of constructing these destructive machines, and actually sent a
despatch to the Governor of Macao, saying they had destroyed at least
one-third of the Ladrone's fleet, and hoped soon to effect their purpose
by totally annihilating them!

"On the 29th of November, the Ladrones being all ready for sea, they
weighed and stood boldly out, bidding defiance to the invincible
squadron and imperial fleet, consisting of ninety-three war-junks, six
Portuguese ships, a brig, and a schooner. Immediately after the Ladrones
weighed, they made all sail. The Ladrones chased them two or three
hours, keeping up a constant fire; finding they did not come up with
them, they hauled their wind, and stood to the eastward. Thus terminated
the boasted blockade, which lasted nine days, during which time the
Ladrones completed all their repairs. In this action not a single
Ladrone vessel was destroyed, and their loss was about thirty or forty
men. An American was also killed, one of three that remained out of
eight taken in a schooner. I had two very narrow escapes: the first, a
twelve pounder shot fell within three or four feet of me; another took a
piece out of a small brass-swivel on which I was standing. The chief's
wife frequently sprinkled me with garlick-water, which they considered
an effectual charm against shot. The fleet continued under sail all
night, steering towards the eastward. In the morning they anchored in a
large bay surrounded by lofty and barren mountains. On the 2d of
December I received a letter from Lieutenant Maughn, commander of the
Honorable Company's cruiser Antelope, saying that he had the ransom on
board, and had been three days cruising after us, and wished me to
settle with the chief on the securest method of delivering it. The chief
agreed to send us in a small gun-boat till we came within sight of the
Antelope; then the compradore's boat was to bring the ransom and receive
us. I was so agitated at receiving this joyful news, that it was with
difficulty I could scrawl about two or three lines to inform Lieutenant
Maughn of the arrangements I had made. We were all so deeply affected by
the gratifying tidings, that we seldom closed our eyes, but continued
watching day and night for the boat.

"On the 6th she returned with Lieutenant Maughn's answer, saying, he
would respect any single boat; but would not allow the fleet to approach
him. The chief, then, according to his first proposal, ordered a
gun-boat to take us, and with no small degree of pleasure we left the
Ladrone fleet about four o'clock in the afternoon. At one P.M. saw the
Antelope under all sail, standing towards us. The Ladrone boat
immediately anchored, and dispatched the compradore's boat for the
ransom, saying, that if she approached nearer they would return to the
fleet; and they were just weighing when she shortened sail, and anchored
about two miles from us. The boat did not reach her till late in the
afternoon, owing to the tide's being strong against her. She received
the ransom and left the Antelope just before dark. A Mandarin boat that
had been lying concealed under the land, and watching their manoeuvres,
gave chace to her, and was within a few fathoms of taking her, when she
saw a light, which the Ladrones answered, and the Mandarin hauled off.
Our situation was now a critical one; the ransom was in the hands of the
Ladrones, and the compradore dare not return with us for fear of a
second attack from the Mandarin boat. The Ladrones would not wait till
morning, so we were obliged to return with them to the fleet. In the
morning the chief inspected the ransom, which consisted of the following
articles: two bales of superfine cloth; two chests of opium; two casks
of gunpowder, and a telescope; the rest in dollars. He objected to the
telescope not being new; and said he should detain one of us till
another was sent, or a hundred dollars in lieu of it. The compradore,
however, agreed with him for the hundred dollars. Every thing being at
length settled, the chief ordered two gun-boats to convey us near the
Antelope; we saw her just before dusk, when the Ladrone boats left us.
We had the inexpressible pleasure of arriving on board the Antelope at
seven, P.M., where we were most cordially received, and heartily
congratulated on our safe and happy deliverance from a miserable
captivity, which we had endured for eleven weeks and three days.

(Signed) "RICHARD GLASSPOOLE. _China, December 8th_. 1809."

"The Ladrones have no settled residence on shore, but live constantly in
their vessels. The after-part is appropriated to the captain and his
wives; he generally has five or six. With respect to the conjugal rights
they are religiously strict; no person is allowed to have a woman on
board, unless married to her according to their laws. Every man is
allowed a small berth, about four feet square, where he stows with his
wife and family. From the number of souls crowded in so small a space,
it must naturally be supposed they are horridly dirty, which is
evidently the case, and their vessels swarm with all kinds of vermin.
Rats in particular, which they encourage to breed, and eat as great
delicacies; in fact, there are very few creatures they will not eat.
During our captivity we lived three weeks on caterpillars boiled with
rice. They are much addicted to gambling, and spend all their leisure
hours at cards and smoking opium."

[Illustration: _The War Junks of the Ladrones._]

At the time of Mr. Glasspoole's liberation, the pirates were at the
height of their power; after such repeated victories over the Mandarin
ships, they had set at nought the Imperial allies--the Portuguese, and
not only the coast, but the rivers of the celestial empire seemed to be
at their discretion--and yet their formidable association did not many
months survive this event. It was not, however, defeat that reduced it
to the obedience of the laws. On the contrary, that extraordinary woman,
the widow of Ching-yih, and the daring Paou, were victorious and more
powerful than ever, when dissensions broke out among the pirates
themselves. Ever since the favor of the chieftainess had elevated Paou
to the general command, there had been enmity and altercations between
him and the chief O-po-tae, who commanded one of the flags or divisions
of the fleet; and it was only by the deference and respect they both
owed to Ching-yih's widow, that they had been prevented from turning
their arms against each other long before.

At length, when the brave Paou was surprised and cooped up by a strong
blockading force of the Emperor's ships, O-po-tae showed all his deadly
spite, and refused to obey the orders of Paou, and even of the
chieftainess, which were, that he should sail to the relief of his
rival.

Paou, with his bravery and usual good fortune, broke through the
blockade, but when he came in contact with O-po-tae, his rage was too
violent to be restrained.

O-po-tae at first pleaded that his means and strength had been
insufficient to do what had been expected of him, but concluded by
saying,--"Am I bound to come and join the forces of Paou?"

"Would you then separate from us!" cried Paou, more enraged than ever.

O-po-tae answered: "I will not separate myself."

Paou:--"Why then do you not obey the orders of the wife of Ching-yih and
my own? What is this else than separation, that you do not come to
assist me, when I am surrounded by the enemy? I have sworn it that I
will destroy thee, wicked man, that I may do away with this soreness on
my back."

The summons of Paou, when blockaded, to O-po-tae was in language
equally figurative:--"I am harassed by the Government's officers outside
in the sea; lips and teeth must help one another, if the lips are cut
away the teeth will feel cold. How shall I alone be able to fight the
Government forces? You should therefore come at the head of your crew,
to attack the Government squadron in the rear. I will then come out of
my station and make an attack in front; the enemy being so taken in the
front and rear, will, even supposing we cannot master him, certainly be
thrown into disorder."

The angry words of Paou were followed by others, and then by blows.
Paou, though at the moment far inferior in force, first began the fight,
and ultimately sustained a sanguinary defeat, and the loss of sixteen
vessels. Our loathing for this cruel, detestable race, must be increased
by the fact, that the victors massacred all their prisoners--or three
hundred men!

This was the death-blow to the confederacy which had so long defied the
Emperor's power, and which might have effected his dethronement.
O-po-tae dreading the vengeance of Paou and his mistress, Ching-yih's
widow, whose united forces would have quintupled his own, gained over
his men to his views, and proffered a submission to Government, on
condition of free pardon, and a proper provision for all.

The petition of the pirates is so curious a production, and so
characteristic of the Chinese, that it deserves to be inserted at
length. "It is my humble opinion that all robbers of an overpowering
force, whether they had their origin from this or any other cause, have
felt the humanity of Government at different times. Leang-sham, who
three times plundered the city, was nevertheless pardoned, and at last
made a minister of state. Wakang often challenged the arms of his
country, and was suffered to live, and at last made a corner-stone of
the empire. Joo-ming pardoned seven times Mang-hwo; and Kwan-kung three
times set Tsaou-tsaou at liberty. Ma-yuen pursued not the exhausted
robbers; and Yo-fei killed not those who made their submission. There
are many instances of such transactions both in former and recent times,
by which the country was strengthened, and government increased its
power. We now live in a very populous age; some of us could not agree
with their relations, and were driven out like noxious weeds. Some,
after having tried all they could, without being able to provide for
themselves, at last joined bad society. Some lost their property by
shipwrecks; some withdrew into this watery empire to escape from
punishment. In such a way those who in the beginning were only three or
five, were in the course of time increased to a thousand or ten
thousand, and so it went on increasing every year. Would it not have
been wonderful if such a multitude, being in want of their daily bread,
had not resorted to plunder and robbery to gain their subsistence, since
they could not in any other manner be saved from famine? It was from
necessity that the laws of the empire were violated, and the merchants
robbed of their goods. Being deprived of our land and of our native
places, having no house or home to resort to, and relying only on the
chances of wind and water, even could we for a moment forget our griefs,
we might fall in with a man-of-war, who with stones, darts, and guns,
would knock out our brains! Even if we dared to sail up a stream and
boldly go on with anxiety of mind under wind, rain, and stormy weather,
we must everywhere prepare for fighting. Whether we went to the east, or
to the west, and after having felt all the hardships of the sea, the
night dew was our only dwelling, and the rude wind our meal. But now we
will avoid these perils, leave our connexions, and desert our comrades;
we will make our submission. The power of Government knows no bounds; it
reaches to the islands in the sea, and every man is afraid, and sighs.
Oh we must be destroyed by our crimes, none can escape who opposeth the
laws of Government. May you then feel compassion for those who are
deserving of death; may you sustain us by your humanity!"

The Government that had made so many lamentable displays of its
weakness, was glad to make an unreal parade of its mercy. It was but too
happy to grant all the conditions instantly, and, in the fulsome
language of its historians, "feeling that compassion is the way of
heaven--that it is the right way to govern by righteousness--it
therefore redeemed these pirates from destruction, and pardoned their
former crimes."

O-po-tae, however, had hardly struck his free flag, and the pirates were
hardly in the power of the Chinese, when it was proposed by many that
they should all be treacherously murdered. The governor happened to be
more honorable and humane, or probably, only more politic than those who
made this foul proposal--he knew that such a bloody breach of faith
would for ever prevent the pirates still in arms from voluntary
submitting; he knew equally well, even weakened as they were by
O-po-tae's defection, that the Government could not reduce them by
force, and he thought by keeping his faith with them, he might turn the
force of those who had submitted against those who still held out, and
so destroy the pirates with the pirates. Consequently the eight thousand
men, it had been proposed to cut off in cold blood, were allowed to
remain uninjured, and their leader, O-po-tae, having changed his name to
that of Hoe-been, or, "The Lustre of Instruction," was elevated to the
rank of an imperial officer.

The widow of Ching-yih, and her favorite Paou, continued for some months
to pillage the coast, and to beat the Chinese and the Mandarins' troops
and ships, and seemed almost as strong as before the separation of
O-po-tae's flag. But that example was probably operating in the minds of
many of the outlaws, and finally the lawless heroine herself, who was
the spirit that kept the complicate body together, seeing that O-po-tae
had been made a government officer, and that he continued to prosper,
began also to think of making her submission.

"I am," said she, "ten times stronger than O-po-tae, and government will
perhaps, if I submit, act towards me as they have done with O-po-tae."

A rumor of her intentions having reached shore, the Mandarin sent off a
certain Chow, a doctor of Macao, "Who," says the historian, "being
already well acquainted with the pirates, did not need any
introduction," to enter on preliminaries with them.

When the worthy practitioner presented himself to Paou, that friend
concluded he had been committing some crime, and had come for safety to
that general _refugium peccatorum,_ the pirate fleet.

The Doctor explained, and assured the chief, that if he would submit,
Government was inclined to treat him and his far more favorably and more
honorably than O-po-tae. But if he continued to resist, not only a
general arming of all the coast and the rivers, but O-po-tae was to
proceed against him.

At this part of his narrative our Chinese historian is again so curious,
that I shall quote his words at length.

"When Fei-heung-Chow came to Paou, he said: 'Friend Paou, do you know
why I come to you?'"

"Paou.--'Thou hast committed some crime and comest to me for
protection?'"

"Chow.--'By no means.'"

"Paou.--'You will then know how it stands concerning the report about
our submission, if it is true or false?'"

"Chow.--'You are again wrong here, Sir. What are you in comparison with
O-po-tae?'"

"Paou.--'Who is bold enough to compare me with O-po-tae?'"

"Chow.--'I know very well that O-po-tae could not come up to you, Sir;
but I mean only, that since O-po-tae has made his submission, since he
has got his pardon and been created a Government officer,--how would it
be, if you with your whole crew should also submit, and if his
Excellency should desire to treat you in the same manner, and to give
you the same rank as O-po-tae? Your submission would produce more joy to
Government than the submission of O-po-tae. You should not wait for
wisdom to act wisely; you should make up your mind to submit to the
Government with all your followers. I will assist you in every respect,
it would be the means of securing your own happiness and the lives of
all your adherents.'"

"Chang-paou remained like a statue without motion, and Fei-heung Chow
went on to say: 'You should think about this affair in time, and not
stay till the last moment. Is it not clear that O-po-tae, since you
could not agree together, has joined Government. He being enraged
against you, will fight, united with the forces of the Government, for
your destruction; and who could help you, so that you might overcome
your enemies? If O-po-tae could before vanquish you quite alone, how
much more can he now when he is united with Government? O-po-tae will
then satisfy his hatred against you, and you yourself will soon be taken
either at Wei-chow or at Neaou-chow. If the merchant-vessels of
Hwy-chaou, the boats of Kwang-chow, and all the fishing-vessels, unite
together to surround and attack you in the open sea, you will certainly
have enough to do. But even supposing they should not attack you, you
will soon feel the want of provisions to sustain you and all your
followers. It is always wisdom to provide before things happen;
stupidity and folly never think about future events. It is too late to
reflect upon events when things have happened; you should, therefore,
consider this matter in time!'"

Paou was puzzled, but after being closeted for some time with his
mistress, Ching-yih's widow, who gave her high permission for him to
make arrangements with Doctor Chow, he said he would repair with his
fleet to the Bocca Tigris, and there communicate personally with the
organs of Government.

After two visits had been paid to the pirate-fleets by two inferior
Mandarins, who carried the Imperial proclamation of free pardon, and
who, at the order of Ching-yih's widow, were treated to a sumptuous
banquet by Paou, the Governor-general of the province went himself in
one vessel to the pirates' ships, that occupied a line of ten _le_ off
the mouth of the river.

As the governor approached, the pirates hoisted their flags, played on
their instruments, and fired their guns, so that the smoke rose in
clouds, and then bent sail to meet him. On this the dense population
that were ranged thousands after thousands along the shore, to witness
the important reconciliation, became sorely alarmed, and the
Governor-general seems to have had a strong inclination to run away. But
in brief space of time, the long dreaded widow of Ching-yih, supported
by her Lieutenant Paou, and followed by three other of her principal
commanders, mounted the side of the governor's ship, and rushed through
the smoke to the spot where his excellency was stationed; where they
fell on their hands and knees, shed tears, knocked their heads on the
deck before him, and received his gracious pardon, and promised for
future kind treatment. They then withdrew satisfied, having promised to
give in a list of their ships, and of all else they possessed, within
three days.

But the sudden apparition of some large Portuguese ships, and some
Government war-junks, made the pirates suspect treachery. They
immediately set sail, and the negociations were interrupted for several
days.

They were at last concluded by the boldness of their female leader. "If
the Governor-general," said this heroine, "a man of the highest rank,
could come to us quite alone, why should not I, a mean woman, go to the
officers of Government? If there be danger in it, I take it all on
myself; no person among you need trouble himself about me--my mind is
made up, and I will go to Canton!"

Paou said--"If the widow of Ching-yih goes, we must fix a time for her
return. If this pass without our obtaining any information, we must
collect all our forces, and go before Canton: this is my opinion as to
what ought to be done; comrades, let me hear yours!"

The pirates, then, struck with the intrepidity of their chieftainess,
and loving her more than ever, answered, "Friend Paou, we have heard thy
opinion, but we think it better to wait for the news here, on the water,
than to send the wife of Ching-yih alone to be killed." Nor would they
allow her to leave the fleet.

Matters were in this state of indecision, when the two inferior
Mandarins who had before visited the pirates, ventured out to repeat
their visit. These officers protested no treachery had been intended,
and pledged themselves, that if the widow of Ching-yih would repair to
the Governor, she would be kindly received, and every thing settled to
their hearts' satisfaction.

With this, in the language of our old ballads, upspoke Mrs. Ching. "You
say well, gentlemen! and I will go myself to Canton with some other of
our ladies, accompanied by you!" And accordingly, she and a number of
the pirates' wives with their children, went fearlessly to Canton,
arranged every thing, and found they had not been deceived. The fleet
soon followed. On its arrival every vessel was supplied with pork and
with wine, and every man (in lieu it may be supposed, of his share of
the vessels, and plundered property he resigned) received at the same
time a bill for a certain quantity of money. Those who wished it, could
join the military force of Government for pursuing the remaining
pirates; and those who objected, dispersed and withdrew into the
country. "This is the manner in which the great red squadron of the
pirates was pacified."

The valiant Paou, following the example of his rival O-po-tae, entered
into the service of Government, and proceeded against such of his
former associates and friends as would not accept the pardon offered
them. There was some hard fighting, but the two renegadoes successively
took the chief Shih Url, forced the redoubtable captain, styled "The
scourge of the Eastern Ocean" to surrender himself, drove "Frog's Meal,"
another dreadful pirate, to Manilla, and finally, and within a few
months, destroyed or dissipated the "wasps of the ocean" altogether.

I have already noticed the marked intention of the Chinese historian, to
paint the character of Paou in a poetical or epic manner. When
describing the battle with Shih-Url, he says:--

"They fought from seven o'clock in the morning till one at noon, burnt
ten vessels, and killed an immense number of the pirates. Shih-Url was
so weakened that he could scarcely make any opposition. On perceiving
this through the smoke, Paou mounted on a sudden the vessel of the
pirate, and cried out: 'I Chang Paou am come,' and at the same moment he
cut some pirates to pieces; the remainder were then hardly dealt with.
Paou addressed himself in an angry tone to Shih-Url, and said: 'I advise
you to submit: will you not follow my advice? what have you to say?'
Shih-Url was struck with amazement, and his courage left him. Paou
advanced and bound him, and the whole crew were then taken captives."

"From that period," says our Chinese historian, in conclusion, "ships
began to pass and repass in tranquillity. All became quiet on the
rivers, and tranquil on the four seas. People lived in peace and plenty.
Men sold their arms and bought oxen to plough their fields; they buried
sacrifices, said prayers on the tops of the hills, and rejoiced
themselves by singing behind screens during day-time"--and (grand climax
to all!) the Governor of the province, in consideration of his valuable
services in the pacification of the pirates, was allowed by an edict of
the "Son of Heaven," to wear peacocks' feathers with two eyes!




THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN LEWIS.


Captain Lewis was at an early age associated with pirates. We first find
him a boy in company with the pirate Banister, who was hanged at the
yard arm of a man-of-war, in sight of Port Royal, Jamaica. This Lewis
and another boy were taken with him, and brought into the island hanging
by the middle at the mizen peak. He had a great aptitude for languages,
and spoke perfectly well that of the Mosquil Indians, French, Spanish,
and English. I mention our own, because it is doubted whether he was
French or English, for we cannot trace him back to his origin. He sailed
out of Jamaica till he was a lusty lad, and was then taken by the
Spaniards at the Havana, where he tarried some time; but at length he
and six more ran away with a small canoe, and surprised a Spanish
periagua, out of which two men joined them, so that they were now nine
in company. With this periagua they surprised a turtling sloop, and
forced some of the hands to take on with them; the others they sent away
in the periagua.

He played at this small game, surprising and taking coasters and
turtlers, till with forced men and volunteers he made up a company of 40
men. With these he took a large pink built ship, bound from Jamaica to
the bay of Campeachy, and after her, several others bound to the same
place; and having intelligence that there lay in the bay a fine Bermuda
built brigantine of 10 guns, commanded by Captain Tucker, he sent the
captain of the pink to him with a letter, the purport of which was, that
he wanted such a brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would
pay him 10,000 pieces of eight; if he refused this, he would take care
to lie in his way, for he was resolved, either by fair or foul means to
have the vessel. Captain Tucker, having read the letter, sent for the
masters of vessels then lying in the bay, and told them, after he had
shown the letter, that if they would make him up 54 men, (for there
were about ten Bermuda sloops,) he would go out and fight the pirates.
They said no, they would not hazard their men, they depended on their
sailing, and every one must take care of himself as well as he could.

[Illustration: _The Pirate Banister, hanging at the Yard Arm._]

However, they all put to sea together, and spied a sail under the land,
which had a breeze while they lay becalmed. Some said he was a turtler;
others, the pirate, and so it proved; for it was honest Captain Lewis,
who putting out his oars, got in among them. Some of the sloops had four
guns, some two, some none. Joseph Dill had two, which he brought on one
side, and fired smartly at the pirate, but unfortunately one of them
split, and killed three men. Tucker called to all the sloops to send him
men, and he would fight Lewis, but to no purpose; nobody came on board
him. In the mean while a breeze sprung up, and Tucker, trimming his
sails, left them, who all fell a prey to the pirate; into whom, however,
he fired a broadside at going off. One sloop, whose master I will not
name, was a very good sailer, and was going off; but Lewis firing a
shot, brought her to, and he lay by till all the sloops were visited and
secured. Then Lewis sent on board him, and ordered the master into his
sloop. As soon as he was on board, he asked the reason of his lying by,
and betraying the trust his owners had reposed in him, which was doing
like a knave and coward, and he would punish him accordingly; _for_,
said he, _you might have got off, being so much a better sailer than my
vessel_. After this speech, he fell upon him with a rope's end, and then
snatching up his cane, drove him about the decks without mercy. The
master, thinking to pacify him, told him he had been out trading in that
sloop several months, and had on board a good quantity of money, which
was hid, and which, if he would send on board a black belonging to the
owners, he would discover to him. This had not the desired effect, but
one quite contrary; for Lewis told him he was a rascal and villain for
this discovery, and he would pay him for betraying his owners, and
redoubled his strokes. However, he sent and took the money and negro,
who was an able sailor. He took out of his prizes what he had occasion
for, forty able negro sailors, and a white carpenter. The largest sloop,
which was about ninety tons, he took for his own use, and mounted her
with 12 guns. His crew was now about eighty men, whites and blacks.

[Illustration: _The Master Caned by Captain Lewis._]

After these captures, he cruised in the Gulf of Florida, laying in wait
for the West India homeward bound ships that took the leeward passage,
several of which, falling into his hands, were plundered by him, and
released. From hence he went to the coast of Carolina, where he cleaned
his sloop, and a great many men whom he had forced, ran away from him.
However, the natives traded with him for rum and sugar, and brought him
all he wanted, without the government's having any knowledge of him, for
he had got into a very private creek; though he was very much on his
guard, that he might not be surprised from the shore.

From Carolina he cruised on the coast of Virginia, where he took and
plundered several merchantmen, and forced several men, and then returned
to the coast of Carolina, where he did abundance of mischief. As he had
now an abundance of French on board, who had entered with him, and
Lewis, hearing the English had a design to maroon them, he secured the
men he suspected, and put them in a boat, with all the other English,
ten leagues from shore, with only ten pieces of beef, and sent them
away, keeping none but French and negroes. These men, it is supposed,
all perished in the sea.

From the coast of Carolina he shaped his course for the banks of
Newfoundland, where he overhauled several fishing vessels, and then went
into Trinity Harbor in Conception Bay, where there lay several
merchantmen, and seized a 24 gun galley, called the Herman. The
commander, Captain Beal, told Lewis, if he would send his quarter master
ashore he would furnish him with necessaries. He being sent ashore, a
council was held among the masters, the consequence of which was, the
seizing the quarter master, whom they carried to Captain Woodes Rogers.
He chained him to a sheet anchor which was ashore, and planted guns at
the point, to prevent the pirate getting out, but to little purpose; for
the people at one of these points firing too soon, Lewis quitted the
ship, and, by the help of oars and the favor of the night, got out in
his sloop, though she received many shot in her hull. The last shot that
was fired at the pirate did him considerable damage.

He lay off and on the harbor, swearing he would have his quarter master,
and intercepted two fishing shallops, on board of one of which was the
captain of the galley's brother. He detained them, and sent word, if his
quarter master did not immediately come off, he would put all his
prisoners to death. He was sent on board without hesitation. Lewis and
the crew inquired how he had been used, and he answered, very civilly.
"It's well," said the pirate, "for had you been ill treated, I would
have put all these rascals to the sword." They were dismissed, and the
captain's brother going over the side, the quarter master stopped him,
saying, he must drink the gentlemen's health ashore, particularly
Captain Rogers' and, whispering him in the ear, told him, if they had
known of his being chained all night, he would have been cut in pieces,
with all his men. After this poor man and his shallop's company were
gone, the quarter master told the usage he had met with, which enraged
Lewis, and made him reproach his quarter master, whose answer was, that
he did not think it just the innocent should suffer for the guilty.

The masters of the merchantmen sent to Capt. Tudor Trevor, who lay at
St. John's in the Sheerness man-of-war. He immediately got under sail,
and missed the pirate but four hours. She kept along the coast and made
several prizes, French and English, and put into a harbor where a French
ship lay making fish. She was built at the latter end of the war, for a
privateer, was an excellent sailer, and mounted 24 guns. The commander
hailed him: the pirate answered, _from Jamaica with rum and sugar_. The
Frenchman bid him go about his business; that a pirate sloop was on the
coast, and he might be the rogue; if he did not immediately sheer off,
he would fire a broadside into him. He went off and lay a fortnight out
at sea, so far as not to be descried from shore, with resolution to have
the ship. The Frenchman being on his guard, in the meanwhile raised a
battery on the shore, which commanded the harbor. After a fortnight,
when he was thought to be gone off, he returned, and took two of the
fishing shallops belonging to the Frenchman, and manning them with
pirates, they went in. One shallop attacked the battery; the other
surprised, boarded and carried the ship, just as the morning star
appeared, for which reason he gave her that name. In the engagement the
owner's son was killed, who made the voyage out of curiosity only. The
ship being taken, seven guns were fired, which was the signal, and the
sloop came down and lay alongside the ship. The captain told him he
supposed he only wanted his liquor; but Lewis made answer he wanted his
ship, and accordingly hoisted all his ammunition and provision into her.
When the Frenchman saw they would have his ship, he told her trim, and
Lewis gave him the sloop; and excepting what he took for provision, all
the fish he had made. Several of the French took on with him, who, with
others, English and French, had by force or voluntarily, made him up 200
men.

From Newfoundland he steered for the coast of Guinea, where he took a
great many ships, English, Dutch and Portuguese. Among these ships was
one belonging to Carolina, commanded by Capt. Smith. While he was in
chase of this vessel a circumstance occurred, which made his men
believe he dealt with the devil; his fore and main top-mast being
carried away, he, Lewis, running up the shrouds to the maintop, tore off
a handful of hair, and throwing it into the air used this expression,
_good devil, take this till I come_. And it was observed, that he came
afterwards faster up with the chase than before the loss of his
top-masts.

[Illustration: _Captain Lewis giving a lock of his hair to the Devil._]

Smith being taken, Lewis used him very civilly, and gave him as much or
more in value than he took from him, and let him go, saying, he would
come to Carolina when he had made money on the coast, and would rely on
his friendship.

They kept some time on the coast, when they quarrelled among themselves,
the French and English, of which the former were more numerous, and they
resolved to part. The French therefore chose a large sloop newly taken,
thinking the ship's bottom, which was not sheathed, damaged by the
worms. According to this agreement they took on board what ammunition
and provision they thought fit out of the ship, and put off, choosing
one Le Barre captain. As it blew hard, and the decks were encumbered,
they came to an anchor under the coast, to stow away their ammunition,
goods, &c. Lewis told his men they were a parcel of rogues, and he would
make them refund; accordingly he run alongside, his guns being all
loaded and new primed, and ordered him to cut away his mast or he would
sink him. Le Barre was obliged to obey. Then he ordered them all ashore.
They begged the liberty of carrying their arms, goods, &c. with them,
but he allowed them only their small arms and cartridge boxes. Then he
brought the sloop alongside, put every thing on board the ship, and sunk
the sloop.

Le Barre and the rest begged to be taken on board. However, though he
denied them, he suffered Le Barre and some few to come, with whom he and
his men drank plentifully. The negroes on board Lewis told him the
French had a plot against him. He answered, he could not withstand his
destiny; for the devil told him in the great cabin he should be murdered
that night.

In the dead of the night, the rest of the French came on board in
canoes, got into the cabin and killed Lewis. They fell on the crew; but,
after an hour and a half's dispute, the French were beaten off, and the
quarter master, John Cornelius, an Irishman, succeeded Lewis.

  --"He was the mildest manner'd man,
  That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat;
  With such true breeding of a gentleman,
  You never could discern his real thought.
  Pity he loved an adventurous life's variety,
  He was so great a loss to good society."




THE LIFE, CAREER AND DEATH OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE.


He was born at Plymouth, where his mother kept a public house. She took
great care of his education, and when he was grown up, as he had an
inclination to the sea, procured him the king's letter. After he had
served some years on board a man-of-war, he went to Barbadoes, where he
married, got into the merchant service, and designed to settle in the
island. He had the command of the Marygold brigantine given him, in
which he made two successful voyages to Guinea and back to Barbadoes. In
his third, he had the misfortune to be taken by a French pirate, as were
several other English ships, the masters and inferior officers of which
they detained, being in want of good artists. The brigantine belonging
to White, they kept for their own use, and sunk the vessel they before
sailed in; but meeting with a ship on the Guinea coast more fit for
their purpose, they went on board her and burnt the brigantine.

It is not my business here to give an account of this French pirate, any
farther than Capt. White's story obliges me, though I beg leave to take
notice of their barbarity to the English prisoners, for they would set
them up as a butt or mark to shoot at; several of whom were thus
murdered in cold blood, by way of diversion.

White was marked out for a sacrifice by one of these villains, who, for
what reason I know not, had sworn his death, which he escaped thus. One
of the crew, who had a friendship for White, knew this fellow's design
to kill him in the night, and therefore advised him to lie between him
and the ship's side, with intention to save him; which indeed he did,
but was himself shot dead by the murderous villain, who mistook him for
White.

After some time cruising along the coast, the pirates doubled the Cape
of Good Hope, and shaped their course for Madagascar, where, being drunk
and mad, they knocked their ship on the head, at the south end of the
island, at a place called by the natives Elexa. The country thereabouts
was governed by a king, named Mafaly.

When the ship struck, Capt. White, Capt. Boreman, (born in the Isle of
Wight, formerly a lieutenant of a man-of-war, but in the merchant
service when he fell into the hands of the pirates,) Capt. Bowen and
some other prisoners got into the long-boat, and with broken oars and
barrel staves, which they found in the bottom of the boat, paddled to
Augustin Bay, which is about 14 or 15 leagues from the wreck, where they
landed, and were kindly received by the king of Bavaw, (the name of that
part of the island) who spoke good English.

They stayed here a year and a half at the king's expense, who gave them
a plentiful allowance of provision, as was his custom to all white men,
who met with any misfortune on his coast. His humanity not only provided
for such, but the first European vessel that came in, he always obliged
to take in the unfortunate people, let the vessel be what it would; for
he had no notion of any difference between pirates and merchants.

At the expiration of the above term, a pirate brigantine came in, on
board which the king obliged them to enter, or travel by land to some
other place, which they durst not do; and of two evils chose the least,
that of going on board the pirate vessel, which was commanded by one
William Read, who received them very civilly.

This commander went along the coast, and picked up what Europeans he
could meet with. His crew, however, did not exceed 40 men. He would have
been glad of taking some of the wrecked Frenchmen, but for the
barbarity they had used towards the English prisoners. However, it was
impracticable, for the French pretending to lord it over the natives,
whom they began to treat inhumanly, were set upon by them, one half of
their number cut off, and the other half made slaves.

Read, with this gang, and a brigantine of 60 tons, steered his course
for the Persian Gulf, where they met a grab, (a one masted vessel) of
about 200 tons, which was made a prize. They found nothing on board but
bale goods, most of which they threw overboard in search of gold, and to
make room in the vessel; but as they learned afterwards, they threw
over, in their search, what they so greedily hunted after, for there was
a considerable quantity of gold concealed in one of the bales they
tossed into the sea!

In this cruise Capt. Read fell ill and died, and was succeeded by one
James. The brigantine being small, crazy and worm-eaten, they shaped
their course for the island of Mayotta, where they took out the masts of
the brigantine, fitted up the grab, and made a ship of her. Here they
took in a quantity of fresh provisions, which are in this island very
plentiful and very cheap, and found a twelve-oared boat, which formerly
belonged to the Ruby East Indiaman, which had been lost there.

They stayed here all the monsoon time, which is about six months; after
which they resolved for Madagascar. As they came in with the land, they
spied a sail coming round from the east side of the island. They gave
chase on both sides, so that they soon met. They hailed each other and
receiving the same answer from each vessel, viz. _from the seas,_ they
joined company.

This vessel was a small French ship, laden with liquors from Martinico,
first commanded by one Fourgette, to trade with the pirates for slaves,
at Ambonavoula, on the east side of the island, in the latitude of 17
deg. 30 min. and was by them taken after the following manner.

The pirates, who were headed by George Booth, now commander of the
ship, went on board, (as they had often done,) to the number of ten, and
carried money with them under pretence of purchasing what they wanted.
This Booth had formerly been gunner of a pirate ship, called the
Dolphin. Capt. Fourgette was pretty much upon his guard, and searched
every man as he came over the side, and a pair of pocket pistols were
found upon a Dutchman, who was the first that entered. The captain told
him that _he was a rogue, and had a design upon his ship_, and the
pirates pretended to be so angry with this fellow's offering to come on
board with arms, that they threatened to knock him on the head, and
tossing him roughly into the boat, ordered him ashore, though they had
before taken an oath on the Bible, either to carry the ship, or die in
the undertaking.

They were all searched, but they however contrived to get on board four
pistols, which were all the arms they had for the enterprise, though
Fourgette had 20 hands on board, and his small arms on the awning, to be
in readiness.

The captain invited them into the cabin to dinner, but Booth chose to
dine with the petty officer, though one Johnson, Isaac and another, went
down. Booth was to give the watchword, which was _hurrah_. Standing near
the awning, and being a nimble fellow, at one spring he threw himself
upon it, drew the arms to him, fired his pistol among the men, one of
whom he wounded, (who jumping overboard was lost) and gave the signal.

Three, I said, were in the cabin, and seven upon deck, who with
handspikes and the arms seized, secured the ship's crew. The captain and
his two mates, who were at dinner in the cabin, hearing the pistol, fell
upon Johnson, and stabbed him in several places with their forks, but
they being silver, did him no great damage. Fourgette snatched his
piece, which he snapped at Isaac's breast several times, but it would
not go off. At last, finding his resistance vain, he submitted, and the
pirates set him, and those of his men who would not join them, on shore,
allowing him to take his books, papers, and whatever else he claimed as
belonging to himself; and besides treating him very humanely, gave him
several casks of liquor, with arms and powder, to purchase provisions in
the country.

I hope this digression, as it was in a manner needful, will be excused.
I shall now proceed.

After they had taken in the Dolphin's company, which were on the island,
and increased their crew, by that means, to the number of 80 hands, they
sailed to St. Mary's, where Capt. Mosson's ship lay at anchor, between
the island and the main. This gentleman and his whole ship's company had
been cut off at the instigation of Ort-Vantyle, a Dutchman of New-York.

Out of her they took water casks and other necessaries; which having
done, they designed for the river Methelage, on the west side of
Madagascar, in the lat. of 16 degrees or thereabouts, to salt up
provisions and to proceed to the East Indies, cruise off the islands of
St. John, and lie in wait for the Moor ships from Mocha.

In their way to Methelage they fell in (as I have said) with the pirate,
on board of which was Capt. White. They joined company, came to an
anchor together in the above named river, where they had cleaned, salted
and took in their provisions, and were ready to go to sea, when a large
ship appeared in sight, and stood into the same river.

The pirates knew not whether she was a merchantman or man-of-war. She
had been the latter, belonging to the French king, and could mount 50
guns; but being taken by the English, she was bought by some London
merchants, and fitted out from that port to slave at Madagascar, and go
to Jamaica. The captain was a young, inexperienced man, who was put in
with a nurse.

The pirates sent their boats to speak with them, but the ship firing at
them, they concluded it a man of war, and rowed ashore; the grab
standing in, and not keeping her wind so well as the French built ship,
run among a parcel of mangroves, and a stump piercing her bottom, she
sunk: the other run aground, let go her anchor, and came to no damage,
for the tide of flood fetched her off.

The captain of the Speaker, for that was the name of the ship which
frightened the pirates, was not a little vain of having forced these two
vessels ashore, though he did not know whether they were pirates or
merchantmen, and could not help expressing himself in these words: "How
will my name ring on the exchange, when it is known I have run two
pirates aground;" which gave handle to a satirical return from one of
his men after he was taken, who said, "Lord! how our captain's name will
ring on the exchange, when it is heard, he frightened two pirate ships
ashore, and was taken by their two boats afterwards."

When the Speaker came within shot, she fired several times at the two
vessels; and when she came to anchor, several more into the country,
which alarmed the negroes, who, acquainting their king, he would allow
him no trade, till the pirates living ashore, and who had a design on
his ship, interceded for them, telling the king, they were their
countrymen, and what had happened was through a mistake, it being a
custom among them to fire their guns by way of respect, and it was owing
to the gunner of the ship's negligence that they fired shot.

The captain of the Speaker sent his purser ashore, to go up the country
to the king, who lived about 24 miles from the coast, to carry a couple
of small arms inlaid with gold, a couple of brass blunderbusses, and a
pair of pistols, as presents, and to require trade. As soon as the
purser was ashore, he was taken prisoner, by one Tom Collins, a
Welshman, born in Pembroke, who lived on shore, and had belonged to the
Charming Mary, of Barbadoes, which went out with a commission but was
converted to a pirate. He told the purser he was his prisoner, and must
answer the damage done to two merchants who were slaving. The purser
answered, that he was not commander; that the captain was a hot rash
youth, put into business by his friends, which he did not understand;
but however, satisfaction should be made. He was carried by Collins on
board Booth's ship, where, at first, he was talked to in pretty strong
terms; but after a while very civilly used, and the next morning sent up
to the king with a guide, and peace made for him.

The king allowed them trade, and sent down the usual presents, a couple
of oxen between twenty and thirty people laden with rice, and as many
more with the country liquor, called _toke_.

The captain then settled the factory on the shore side, and began to buy
slaves and provisions. The pirates were among them, and had
opportunities of sounding the men, and knowing in what posture the ship
lay. They found by one Hugh Man, belonging to the Speaker, that there
were not above 40 men on board, and that they had lost the second mate
and 20 hands in the long boat, on the coast, before they came into this
harbor, but that they kept a good look out, and had their guns ready
primed. However, he, for a hundred pounds, undertook to wet all the
priming, and assist in taking the ship.

After some days the captain of the Speaker came on shore, and was
received with great civility by the heads of the pirates, having agreed
before to make satisfaction. In a day or two after, he was invited by
them to eat a barbacued shoat, which invitation he accepted. After
dinner, Capt. Bowen, who was, I have already said, a prisoner on board
the French pirate, but now become one of the fraternity, and master of
the grab, went out, and returned with a case of pistols in his hand, and
told the Captain of the Speaker, whose name I won't mention, that he was
his prisoner. He asked, upon what account? Bowen answered, "they wanted
his ship, his was a good one, and they were resolved to have her, to
make amends for the damage he had done them."

[Illustration: _Hugh Man wetting the Priming of the Guns._]

In the mean while his boat's crew, and the rest of his men ashore, were
told by others of the pirates, who were drinking with them, that they
were also prisoners: some of them answered, _Zounds, we don't trouble
our heads what we are, let's have t'other bowl of punch_.

A watchword was given, and no boat to be admitted on board the ship.
This word, which was for that night, _Coventry_, was known to them. At 8
o'clock they manned the twelve-oared boat, and the one they found at
Mayotta, with 24 men, and set out for the ship. When they were put off,
the captain of the Speaker desired them to come back, as he wanted to
speak with them. Capt. Booth asked what he wanted! He said, "they could
never take his ship." "Then," said Booth, "we'll die in or alongside of
her."--"But," replied the captain, "if you will go with safety, don't
board on the larboard side, for there is a gun out of the steerage
loaded with partridge, which will clear the decks." They thanked him,
and proceeded.

When they were near the ship they were hailed, and the answer was, _the
Coventry_. "All well," said the mate, "get the lights over the side;"
but spying the second boat, he asked what boat that was? One answered it
was a raft of water, another that it was a boat of beef; this
disagreement in the answers made the mate suspicious, who cried
out--_Pirates, take to your arms my lads_, and immediately clapped a
match to a gun, which, as the priming was before wet by the treachery of
Hugh Man, only fizzed. They boarded in the instant, and made themselves
masters of her, without the loss of a man on either side.

The next day they put necessary provisions on board the French built
ship, and gave her to the captain of the Speaker, and those men who
would go off with him, among whom was Man, who had betrayed his ship;
for the pirates had both paid him the 100_l_ agreed, and kept his
secret. The captain having thus lost his ship, sailed in that which the
pirates gave him, for Johanna, where he fell ill and died with grief.

The pirates having here victualled, they sailed for the Bay of St.
Augustine, where they took in between 70 and 80 men, who had belonged to
the ship Alexander, commanded by Capt. James, a pirate. They also took
up her guns, and mounted the Speaker with 54, which made up their
number, and 240 men, besides slaves, of which they had about 20.

From hence they sailed for the East Indies, but stopped at Zanguebar for
fresh provisions, where the Portuguese had once a settlement, but now
inhabited by Arabians. Some of them went ashore with the captain to buy
provisions. The captain was sent for by the governor, who went with
about 14 in company. They passed through the guard, and when they had
entered the governor's house, they were all cut off; and, at the same
time, others who were in different houses of the town were set upon,
which made them fly to the shore. The long-boat, which lay off a
grappling, was immediately put in by those who looked after her. There
were not above half a dozen of the pirates who brought their arms
ashore, but they plied them so well, for they were in the boat, that
most of the men got into her. The quarter-master ran down sword in hand,
and though he was attacked by many, he behaved himself so well, that he
got into a little canoe, put off, and reached the long-boat.

In the interim, the little fort the Arabians had, played upon the ship,
which returned the salute very warmly. Thus they got on board, with the
loss of Captain Booth and 20 men, and set sail for the East Indies. When
they were under sail, they went to voting for a new captain, and the
quarter-master, who had behaved so well in the last affair with the
Arabians, was chosen; but he declining all command the crew made choice
of Bowen for captain, Pickering to succeed him as master, Samuel
Herault, a Frenchman, for quarter-master, and Nathaniel North for
captain quarter-master.

Things being thus settled, they came to the mouth of the Red Sea, and
fell in with 13 sail of Moor ships, which they kept company with the
greater part of the day, but afraid to venture on them, as they took
them for Portuguese men-of-war. At length part were for boarding, and
advised it. The captain though he said little, did not seem inclined,
for he was but a young pirate, though an old commander of a merchantman.
Those who pushed for boarding, then desired Captain Boreman, already
mentioned, to take the command; but he said he would not be a usurper;
that nobody was more fit for it than he who had it; that for his part
he would stand by his fuzil, and went forward to the forecastle with
such as would have him take the command, to be ready to board; on which
the captain's quarter-master said, if they were resolved to engage,
their captain, (whose representative he was) did not want resolution;
therefore ordered them to get their tacks on board (for they had already
made a clear ship) and get ready for boarding; which they accordingly
did, and coming up with the sternmost ship, they fired a broadside into
her, which killed two Moors, clapped her on board and carried her; but
night coming on, they made only this prize, which yielded them £500 per
man. From hence they sailed to the coast of Malabar. The adventures of
these pirates on this coast are already set down in Captain Bowen's
life, to which I refer the reader, and shall only observe, that Captain
White was all this time before the mast, being a forced man from the
beginning.

Bowen's crew dispersing, Captain White went to Methelage, where he lived
ashore with the king, not having an opportunity of getting off the
island, till another pirate ship, called the Prosperous, commanded by
one Howard, who had been bred a lighterman on the river Thames, came in.
This ship was taken at Augustin, by some pirates from shore, and the
crew of their long-boat, which joined them, at the instigation of one
Ranten, boatswain's mate, who sent for water. They came on board in the
night and surprised her, though not without resistance, in which the
captain and chief mate were killed, and several others wounded.

Those who were ashore with Captain White, resolving to enter in this
ship, determined him to go also, rather than be left alone with the
natives, hoping, by some accident or other, to have an opportunity of
returning home. He continued on board this ship, in which he was made
quarter-master, till they met with, and all went on board of Bowen, as
is set down in his life, in which ship he continued after Bowen left
them. At Port Dolphin he went _off_ in the boats to fetch some of the
crew left ashore, the ship being blown to sea the night before. The ship
not being able to get in, and he supposing her gone to the west side of
the island, as they had formerly proposed, he steered that course in his
boat with 26 men. They touched at Augustin, expecting the ship, but she
not appearing in a week, the time they waited, the king ordered them to
be gone, telling them they imposed on him with lies, for he did not
believe they had any ship: however he gave them fresh provision: they
took in water, and made for Methelage. Here as Captain White was known
to the king, they were kindly received, and staid about a fortnight in
expectation of the ship, but she not appearing they raised their boat a
streak, salted the provision the king gave them, put water aboard, and
stood for the north end of the island, designing to go round, believing
their ship might be at the island of St. Mary. When they came to the
north end, the current, which sets to the N.W. for eight months in the
year, was so strong they found it impossible to get round. Wherefore
they got into a harbor, of which there are many for small vessels. Here
they stayed about three weeks or a month, when part of the crew were for
burning the boat, and travelling over land to a black king of their
acquaintance, whose name was Reberimbo, who lived at a place called
Manangaromasigh, in lat. 15 deg. or thereabouts. As this king had been
several times assisted by the whites in his wars, he was a great friend
to them. Captain White dissuaded them from this undertaking, and with
much ado, saved the boat; but one half of the men being resolved to go
by land, they took what provisions they thought necessary, and set out.
Captain White, and those who staid with him, conveyed them a day's
journey, and then returning, he got into the boat with his companions,
and went back to Methelage, fearing these men might return, prevail
with the rest, and burn the boat.

[Illustration: _The Murder of the Captain and Chief Mate._]

Here he built a deck on his boat, and lay by three months, in which time
there came in three pirates with a boat, who had formerly been trepanned
on board the Severn and Scarborough men-of-war, which had been looking
for pirates on the east side; from which ships they made their escape at
Mohila, in a small canoe to Johanna, and from Johanna to Mayotta, where
the king built them the boat which brought them to Methelage. The time
of the current's setting with violence to the N.W. being over, they
proceeded together in White's boat (burning that of Mayotta) to the
north end, where the current running yet too strong to get round, they
went into a harbor and staid there a month, maintaining themselves with
fish and wild hogs, of which there was a great plenty. At length, having
fine weather, and the strength of the current abating, they got round;
and after sailing about 40 miles on the east side, they went into a
harbor, where they found a piece of a jacket, which they knew belonged
to one of those men who had left them to go over land. He had been a
forced man, and a ship carpenter. This they supposed he had torn to wrap
round his feet; that part of the country being barren and rocky. As they
sailed along this coast, they came to anchor in convenient harbors every
night, till they got as far as Manangaromasigh, where king Reberimbo
resided, where they went in to inquire for their men, who left them at
the north end, and to recruit with provisions. The latter was given
them, but they could get no information of their companions.

From hence they went to the island of St. Mary, where a canoe came off
to them with a letter directed to any white man. They knew it to be the
hand of one of their former shipmates. The contents of this letter was
to advise them to be on their guard, and not trust too much to the
blacks of this place, they having been formerly treacherous. They
inquired after their ship, and were informed, that the company had given
her to the Moors, who were gone away with her, and that they themselves
were settled at Ambonavoula, about 20 leagues to the southward of St.
Mary, where they lived among the negroes as so many sovereign princes.

One of the blacks, who brought off the letter went on board their boat,
carried them to the place called Olumbah, a point of land made by a
river on one side, and the sea on the other, where twelve of them lived
together in a large house they had built, and fortified with about
twenty pieces of cannon.

The rest of them were settled in small companies of about 12 or 14
together, more or less, up the said river, and along the coast, every
nation by itself, as the English, French, Dutch, &c. They made inquiry
of their consorts after the different prizes which belonged to them, and
they found all very justly laid by to be given them, if ever they
returned, as were what belonged to the men who went over land. Captain
White, hankering after home, proposed going out again in the boat; for
he was adverse to settling with them; and many others agreed to go under
his command; and if they could meet with a ship to carry them to Europe,
to follow their old vocation. But the others did not think it reasonable
he should have the boat, but that it should be set to sale for the
benefit of the company. Accordingly it was set up, and Captain White
bought it for 400 pieces of eight, and with some of his old consorts,
whose number was increased by others of the ship's crew, he went back
the way he had come to Methelage. Here he met with a French ship of
about 50 tons, and 6 guns, which had been taken by some pirates who
lived at Maratan, on the east side of the island, and some of the
Degrave East-Indiaman's crew, to whom the master of her refused a
passage to Europe; for as he had himself been a pirate, and
quarter-master to Bowen, in the Speaker, he apprehended their taking
away his ship. War then existing between England and France, he thought
they might do it without being called in question as pirates. The
pirates who had been concerned in taking Herault's ship, for that was
his name, had gone up the country, and left her to the men belonging to
the Degrave, who had fitted her up, cleaned and tallowed her, and got in
some provision, with a design to go to the East-Indies, that they might
light on some ship to return to their own country.

Captain White, finding these men proposed joining him, and going round
to Ambonavoula, to make up a company, it was agreed upon, and they
unanimously chose him commander. They accordingly put to sea, and stood
away round the south end of the island, and touched at Don Mascarenhas,
where he took in a surgeon, and stretching over again to Madagascar,
fell in with Ambonavoula, and made up his complement of 60 men. From
hence he shaped his course for the island of Mayotta, where he cleaned
his ship, and waited for the season to go into the Red Sea. His
provisions being taken in, the time proper, and the ship well fitted, he
steered for Babel-Mandeb, and running into a harbor, waited for the
Mocha ships.

He here took two grabs laden with provisions, and having some small
money and drugs aboard. These he plundered of what was for his turn,
kept them a fortnight by him, and let them go. Soon after they espied a
lofty ship, upon which they put to sea; but finding her European built,
and too strong to attempt, for it was a Dutchman, they gave over the
chase, and were glad to shake them off, and return to their station.
Fancying they were here discovered, from the coast of Arabia, or that
the grabs had given information of them they stood over for the
Ethiopian shore, keeping a good look out for the Mocha ships. A few days
after, they met with a large ship of about 1000 tons and 600 men, called
the Malabar, which they chased, kept company with her all night, and
took in the morning, with the loss of only their boatswain, and two or
three men wounded. In taking this ship, they damaged their own so much,
by springing their foremast, carrying away their bowsprit, and beating
in part of their upper works that they did not think her longer fit for
their use. They therefore filled her away with prisoners, gave them
provision and sent them away.

Some days after this, they espied a Portuguese man-of war of 44 guns,
which they chased, but gave it over by carrying away their maintopmast,
so that they did not speak with her, for the Portuguese took no notice
of them. Four days after they had left this man-of-war, they fell in
with a Portuguese merchantman, which they chased with English colors
flying. The chase, taking White for an English man-of-war or
East-Indiaman, made no sail to get from him, but on his coming up,
brought to, and sent his boat on board with a present of sweet-meats for
the English captain. His boat's crew was detained, and the pirates
getting into his boat with their arms, went on board and fired on the
Portuguese, who being surprised, asked if war was broke out between
England and Portugal? They answered in the affirmative, but the captain
could not believe them. However they took what they liked, and kept him
with them.

After two days they met with the Dorothy, an English ship, Captain
Penruddock, commander, coming from Mocha. They exchanged several shots
in the chase, but when they came along side of her, they entered their
men, and found no resistance, she being navigated by Moors, no
Europeans, except the officers being on board. On a vote, they gave
Captain Penruddock (from whom they took a considerable quantity of
money) the Portuguese ship and cargo, with what bale he pleased to take
out of his own, bid him go about his business, and make what he could of
her. As to the English ship, they kept her for their own use.

Soon after they plundered the Malabar ship, out of which they took as
much money as came to £200 sterling a man, but missed 50,000 sequins,
which were hid in a jar under a cow's stall, kept for the giving milk to
the Moor supercargo, an ancient man. They then put the Portuguese and
Moor prisoners on board the Malabar, and sent them about their business.
The day after they had sent them away, one Captain Benjamin Stacy, in a
ketch of 6 guns fell into their hands. They took what money he had, and
what goods and provisions they wanted. Among the money were 500 dollars,
a silver mug, and two spoons belonging to a couple of children on board,
who were under the care of Stacy. The children took on for their loss,
and the captain asked the reason of their tears, was answered by Stacy,
and the above sum and plate was all the children had to bring them up.
Captain White made a speech to his men, and told them it was cruel to
rob the innocent children; upon which, by unanimous consent, all was
restored to them again. Besides, they made a gathering among themselves,
and made a present to Stacy's mate, and other of his inferior officers,
and about 120 dollars to the children. They then discharged Stacy and
his crew, and made the best of their way out of the Red Sea.

They came into the bay of Defarr, where they found a ketch at anchor,
which the people had made prize of, by seizing the master and boat's
crew ashore. They found a French gentleman, one Monsieur Berger, on
board, whom they carried with them, took out about 2000 dollars, and
sold the ketch to the chief ashore for provisions.

Hence they sailed for Madagascar, but touched at Mascarenhas, where
several of them went ashore with their booty, about £1200 a man. Here
taking in fresh provisions, White steered for Madagascar, and fell in
with Hopeful Point where they shared their goods, and took up
settlements ashore, where White built a house, bought cattle, took off
the upper deck of ship, and was fitting her up for the next season. When
she was near ready for sea, Captain John Halsey, who had made a broken
voyage, came in with a brigantine, which being a more proper vessel for
their turn, they desisted from working on the ship, and those who had a
mind for fresh adventures, went on board Halsey, among whom Captain
White entered before the mast.

At his return to Madagascar, White was taken ill of a flux, which in
about five or six months ended his days. Finding his time was drawing
nigh, he made his will, left several legacies, and named three men of
different nations, guardian to a son he had by a woman in the country,
requiring he might be sent to England with the money he left him, by the
first English ship, to be brought up in the Christian religion, in hopes
that he might live a better man than his father. He was buried with the
same ceremony they used at the funerals of their companions, which is
mentioned in the account of Halsey. Some years after, an English ship
touching there, the guardians faithfully discharged their trust, and put
him on board with the captain, who brought up the boy with care, acting
by him as became a man of probity and honor.




THE LIFE, ATROCITIES, AND BLOODY DEATH OF BLACK BEARD.


Edward Teach was a native of Bristol, and having gone to Jamaica,
frequently sailed from that port as one of the crew of a privateer
during the French war. In that station he gave frequent proofs of his
boldness and personal courage; but he was not entrusted with any command
until Captain Benjamin Hornigold gave him the command of a prize which
he had taken.

In the spring of 1717, Hornigold and Teach sailed from Providence for
the continent of America, and on their way captured a small vessel with
120 barrels of flour, which they put on board their own vessel. They
also seized two other vessels; from one they took some gallons of wine,
and from the other, plunder to a considerable value. After cleaning upon
the coast of Virginia, they made a prize of a large French Guineaman
bound to Martinique, and Teach obtaining the command of her, went to the
island of Providence, and surrendered to the king's clemency.

Teach now began to act an independent part. He mounted his vessel with
forty guns, and named her "The Queen Anne's Revenge." Cruising near the
island of St. Vincent, he took a large ship, called the Great Allan, and
after having plundered her of what he deemed proper, set her on fire. A
few days after, Teach encountered the Scarborough man-of-war, and
engaged her for some hours; but perceiving his strength and resolution,
she retired, and left Teach to pursue his depredations. His next
adventure was with a sloop of ten guns, commanded by Major Bonnet, and
these two men co-operated for some time: but Teach finding him
unacquainted with naval affairs, gave the command of Bonnet's ship to
Richards, one of his own crew, and entertained Bonnet on board his own
vessel. Watering at Turniff, they discovered a sail, and Richards with
the Revenge slipped her cable, and ran out to meet her. Upon seeing the
black flag hoisted, the vessel struck, and came-to under the stern of
Teach the commodore. This was the Adventure from Jamaica. They took the
captain and his men on board the great ship, and manned his sloop for
their own service.

Weighing from Turniff, where they remained during a week, and sailing to
the bay, they found there a ship and four sloops. Teach hoisted his
flag, and began to fire at them, upon which the captain and his men left
their ship and fled to the shore. Teach burned two of these sloops, and
let the other three depart.

They afterwards sailed to different places, and having taken two small
vessels, anchored off the bar of Charleston for a few days. Here they
captured a ship bound for England, as she was coming out of the harbor.
They next seized a vessel coming out of Charleston, and two pinks coming
into the same harbor, together with a brigantine with fourteen negroes.
The audacity of these transactions, performed in sight of the town,
struck the inhabitants with terror, as they had been lately visited by
some other notorious pirates. Meanwhile, there were eight sail in the
harbor, none of which durst set to sea for fear of falling into the
hands of Teach. The trade of this place was totally interrupted, and the
inhabitants were abandoned to despair. Their calamity was greatly
augmented from this circumstance, that a long and desperate war with the
natives had just terminated, when they began to be infested by these
robbers.

Teach having detained all the persons taken in these ships as
prisoners, they were soon in great want of medicines, and he had the
audacity to demand a chest from the governor. This demand was made in a
manner not less daring than insolent. Teach sent Richards, the captain
of the Revenge, with Mr. Marks, one of the prisoners, and several
others, to present their request. Richards informed the governor, that
unless their demand was granted, and he and his companions returned in
safety, every prisoner on board the captured ships should instantly be
slain, and the vessels consumed to ashes.

During the time that Mr. Marks was negotiating with the governor,
Richards and his associates walked the streets at pleasure, while
indignation flamed from every eye against them, as the robbers of their
property, and the terror of their country. Though the affront thus
offered to the Government was great and most audacious, yet, to preserve
the lives of so many men, they granted their request, and sent on board
a chest valued at three or four hundred pounds.

Teach, as soon as he received the medicines and his fellow pirates,
pillaged the ships of gold and provisions, and then dismissed the
prisoners with their vessels. From the bar of Charleston they sailed to
North Carolina. Teach now began to reflect how he could best secure the
spoil, along with some of the crew who were his favorites. Accordingly,
under pretence of cleaning, he ran his vessel on shore, and grounded;
then ordered the men in Hands' sloop to come to his assistance, which
they endeavoring to do, also ran aground, and so they were both lost.
Then Teach went into the tender with forty hands, and upon a sandy
island, about a league from shore, where there was neither bird no
beast, nor herb for their subsistence, he left seventeen of his crew,
who must inevitably have perished, had not Major Bonnet received
intelligence of their miserable situation, and sent a long-boat for
them. After this barbarous deed. Teach, with the remainder of his crew,
went and surrendered to the governor of North Carolina, retaining all
the property which had been acquired by his fleet.

The temporary suspension of the depredations of Black Beard, for so he
was now called, did not proceed from a conviction of his former errors,
or a determination to reform, but to prepare for future and more
extensive exploits. As governors are but men, and not unfrequently by no
means possessed of the most virtuous principles, the gold of Black Beard
rendered him comely in the governor's eyes, and, by his influence, he
obtained a legal right to the great ship called "The Queen Anne's
Revenge." By order of the governor, a court of vice-admiralty was held
at Bath-town, and that vessel was condemned as a lawful prize which he
had taken from the Spaniards, though it was a well-known fact that she
belonged to English merchants. Before he entered upon his new
adventures, he married a young woman of about sixteen years of age, the
governor himself attending the ceremony. It was reported that this was
only his fourteenth wife, about twelve of whom were yet alive; and
though this woman was young and amiable, he behaved towards her in a
manner so brutal, that it was shocking to all decency and propriety,
even among his abandoned crew of pirates.

In his first voyage, Black Beard directed his course to the Bermudas,
and meeting with two or three English vessels, emptied them of their
stores and other necessaries, and allowed them to proceed. He also met
with two French vessels bound for Martinique, the one light, and the
other laden with sugar and cocoa: he put the men on board the latter
into the former, and allowed her to depart. He brought the freighted
vessel into North Carolina, where the governor and Black Beard shared
the prizes. Nor did their audacity and villany stop here. Teach and some
of his abandoned crew waited upon his excellency, and swore that they
had seized the French ship at sea, without a soul on board; therefore a
court was called, and she was condemned, the honorable governor received
sixty hogsheads of sugar for his share, his secretary twenty, and the
pirates the remainder. But as guilt always inspires suspicion, Teach was
afraid that some one might arrive in the harbor who might detect the
roguery: therefore, upon pretence that she was leaky, and might sink,
and so stop up the entrance to the harbor where she lay, they obtained
the governor's liberty to drag her into the river, where she was set on
fire, and when burnt down to the water, her bottom was sunk, that so she
might never rise in judgment against the governor and his confederates.

[Illustration: _The crews of Black Beard's and Vane's vessels carousing
on the coast of Carolina._]

Black Beard now being in the province of Friendship, passed several
months in the river, giving and receiving visits from the planters;
while he traded with the vessels which came to that river, sometimes in
the way of lawful commerce, and sometimes in his own way. When he chose
to appear the honest man, he made fair purchases on equal barter; but
when this did not suit his necessities, or his humor, he would rob at
pleasure, and leave them to seek their redress from the governor; and
the better to cover his intrigues with his excellency, he would
sometimes outbrave him to his face, and administer to him a share of
that contempt and insolence which he so liberally bestowed upon the rest
of the inhabitants of the province.

But there are limits to human insolence and depravity. The captains of
the vessels who frequented that river, and had been so often harrassed
and plundered by Black Beard, secretly consulted with some of the
planters what measures to pursue, in order to banish such an infamous
miscreant from their coasts, and to bring him to deserved punishment.
Convinced from long experience, that the governor himself, to whom it
belonged, would give no redress, they represented the matter to the
governor of Virginia, and entreated that an armed force might be sent
from the men-of-war lying there, either to take or to destroy those
pirates who infested their coast.

Upon this representation, the Governor of Virginia consulted with the
captains of the two men-of-war as to the best measures to be adopted. It
was resolved that the governor should hire two small vessels, which
could pursue Bleak Beard into all his inlets and creeks; that they
should be manned from the men-of-war, and the command given to
Lieutenant Maynard, an experienced and resolute officer. When all was
ready for his departure, the governor called an assembly, in which it
was resolved to issue a proclamation, offering a great reward to any
who, within a year, should take or destroy any pirate.

Upon the 17th of November, 1717, Maynard left James's river in quest of
Black Beard, and on the evening of the 21st came in sight of the pirate.
This expedition was fitted out with all possible expedition and secrecy,
no boat being permitted to pass that might convey any intelligence,
while care was taken to discover where the pirates were lurking. His
excellency the governor of Bermuda, and his secretary, however, having
obtained information of the intended expedition, the latter wrote a
letter to Black Beard, intimating, that he had sent him four of his men,
who were all he could meet within or about town, and so bade him be on
his guard. These men were sent from Bath-town to the place where Black
Beard lay, about the distance of twenty leagues.

The hardened and infatuated pirate, having been often deceived by false
intelligence, was the less attentive to this information, nor was he
convinced of its accuracy until he saw the sloops sent to apprehend him.
Though he had then only twenty men on board, he prepared to give battle.
Lieutenant Maynard arrived with his sloops in the evening, and anchored,
as he could not venture, under cloud of night, to go into the place
where Black Beard lay. The latter spent the night in drinking with the
master of a trading-vessel, with the same indifference as if no danger
had been near. Nay, such was the desperate wickedness of this villain,
that, it is reported, during the carousals of that night, one of his men
asked him, "In case any thing should happen to him during the engagement
with the two sloops which were waiting to attack him in the morning,
whether his wife knew where he had buried his money?" when he impiously
replied, "That nobody but himself and the devil knew where it was, and
the longest liver should take all."

In the morning Maynard weighed, and sent his boat to sound, which coming
near the pirate, received her fire. Maynard then hoisted royal colors,
and made directly towards Black Beard with every sail and oar. In a
little time the pirate ran aground, and so also did the king's vessels.
Maynard lightened his vessel of the ballast and water, and made towards
Black Beard. Upon this he hailed him in his own rude style, "D--n you
for villains, who are you, and from whence come you?" The lieutenant
answered, "You may see from our colors we are no pirates." Black Beard
bade him send his boat on board, that he might see who he was. But
Maynard replied, "I cannot spare my boat, but I will come on board of
you as soon as I can with my sloop." Upon this Black Beard took a glass
of liquor and drank to him, saying, "I'll give no quarter nor take any
from you." Maynard replied, "He expected no quarter from him, nor should
he give him any."

During this dialogue the pirate's ship floated, and the sloops were
rowing with all expedition towards him. As she came near, the pirate
fired a broadside, charged with all manner of small shot, which killed
or wounded twenty men. Black Beard's ship in a little after fell
broadside to the shore; one of the sloops called the Ranger, also fell
astern. But Maynard finding that his own sloop had way, and would soon
be on board of Teach, ordered all his men down, while himself and the
man at the helm, who he commanded to lie concealed, were the only
persons who remained on deck. He at the same time desired them to take
their pistols, cutlasses, and swords, and be ready for action upon his
call, and, for greater expedition, two ladders were placed in the
hatchway. When the king's sloop boarded, the pirate's case-boxes, filled
with powder, small shot, slugs, and pieces of lead and iron, with a
quick-match in the mouth of them, were thrown into Maynard's sloop.
Fortunately, however, the men being in the hold, they did small injury
on the present occasion, though they are usually very destructive. Black
Beard seeing few or no hands upon deck, cried to his men that they were
all knocked on the head except three or four; "and therefore," said he,
"let us jump on board, and cut to pieces those that are alive."

[Illustration: _Death of Black Beard._]

Upon this, during the smoke occasioned by one of these case-boxes, Black
Beard, with fourteen of his men, entered, and were not perceived until
the smoke was dispelled. The signal was given to Maynard's men, who
rushed up in an instant. Black Beard and the lieutenant exchange shots,
and the pirate was wounded; they then engaged sword in hand, until the
sword of the lieutenant broke, but fortunately one of his men at that
instant gave Black Beard a terrible wound in the neck and throat. The
most desperate and bloody conflict ensued:--Maynard with twelve men, and
Black Beard with fourteen. The sea was dyed with blood all around the
vessel, and uncommon bravery was displayed upon both sides. Though the
pirate was wounded by the first shot from Maynard, though he had
received twenty cuts, and as many shots, he fought with desperate valor;
but at length, when in the act of cocking his pistol, fell down dead. By
this time eight of his men had fallen, and the rest being wounded, cried
out for quarter, which was granted, as the ringleader was slain. The
other sloop also attacked the men who remained in the pirate vessels,
until they also cried out for quarter. And such was the desperation of
Black Beard, that, having small hope of escaping, he had placed a negro
with a match at the gunpowder door, to blow up the ship the moment that
he should have been boarded by the king's men, in order to involve the
whole in general ruin. That destructive broadside at the commencement of
the action, which at first appeared so unlucky, was, however, the means
of their preservation from the intended destruction.

Maynard severed the pirate's head from his body, suspended it upon his
bowsprit-end, and sailed to Bath-town, to obtain medical aid for his
wounded men. In the pirate sloop several letters and papers were found,
which Black Beard would certainly have destroyed previous to the
engagement, had he not determined to blow her up upon his being taken,
which disclosed the whole villainy between the honorable governor of
Bermuda and his honest secretary on the one hand, and the notorious
pirate on the other, who had now suffered the just punishment of his
crimes.

[Illustration: _Black Beard's Head on the end of the Bowsprit._]

Scarcely was Maynard returned to Bath-town, when he boldly went and made
free with the sixty hogsheads of sugar in the possession of the
governor, and the twenty in that of his secretary.

After his men had been healed at Bath-town, the lieutenant proceeded to
Virginia, with the head of Black Beard still suspended on his
bowsprit-end, as a trophy of his victory, to the great joy of all the
inhabitants. The prisoners were tried, condemned, and executed; and thus
all the crew of that infernal miscreant, Black Beard, were destroyed,
except two. One of these was taken out of a trading-vessel, only the day
before the engagement, in which he received no less than seventy wounds,
of all which he was cured. The other was Israel Hands, who was master of
the Queen Anne's Revenge; he was taken at Bath-town, being wounded in
one of Black Beard's savage humors. One night Black Beard, drinking in
his cabin with Hands, the pilot, and another man, without any pretence,
took a small pair of pistols, and cocked them under the table; which
being perceived by the man, he went on deck, leaving the captain, Hands,
and the pilot together. When his pistols were prepared, he extinguished
the candle, crossed his arms, and fired at his company. The one pistol
did no execution, but the other wounded Hands in the knee. Interrogated
concerning the meaning of this, he answered with an imprecation, "That
if he did not now and then kill one of them, they would forget who he
was." Hands was eventually tried and condemned, but as he was about to
be executed, a vessel arrived with a proclamation prolonging the time of
his Majesty's pardon, which Hands pleading, he was saved from a violent
and shameful death.

In the commonwealth of pirates, he who goes the greatest length of
wickedness, is looked upon with a kind of envy amongst them, as a person
of a most extraordinary gallantry; he is therefore entitled to be
distinguished by some post, and, if such a one has but courage, he must
certainly be a great man. The hero of whom we are writing was thoroughly
accomplished in this way, and some of his frolics of wickedness were as
extravagant as if he aimed at making his men believe he was a devil
incarnate. Being one day at sea, and a little flushed with drink;
"Come," said he, "let us make a hell of our own, and try how long we can
bear it." Accordingly he, with two or three others, went down into the
hold, and closing up all the hatches, filled several pots full of
brimstone, and other combustible matter; they then set it on fire, and
so continued till they were almost suffocated, when some of the men
cried out for air; at length he opened the hatches, not a little pleased
that he had held out the longest.

Those of his crew who were taken alive, told a story which may appear a
little incredible. That once, upon a cruise, they found out that they
had a man on board more than their crew; such a one was seen several
days amongst them, sometimes below, and sometimes upon deck, yet no man
in the ship could give any account who he was, or from whence he came;
but that he disappeared a little before they were cast away in their
great ship, and, it seems, they verily believed it was the devil.

One would think these things should have induced them to reform their
lives; but being so many reprobates together, they encouraged and
spirited one another up in their wickedness, to which a continual course
of drinking did not a little contribute. In Black Beard's journal,
which was taken, there were several memoranda of the following nature,
all written with his own hand.--"Such a day, rum all out;--our company
somewhat sober;--a d--d confusion amongst us!--rogues a plotting;--great
talk of separation. So I looked sharp for a prize;--such a day took one,
with a great deal of liquor on board; so kept the company hot, d--d hot,
then all things went well again."

We shall close the narrative of this extraordinary man's life by an
account of the cause why he was denominated Black Beard. He derived this
name from his long black beard, which, like a frightful meteor, covered
his whole face, and terrified all America more than any comet that had
ever appeared. He was accustomed to twist it with ribbon in small
quantities, and turn them about his ears. In time of action he wore a
sling over his shoulders with three brace of pistols. He stuck lighted
matches under his hat, which appeared on both sides of his face and
eyes, naturally fierce and wild, made him such a figure that the human
imagination cannot form a conception of a fury more terrible and
alarming; and if he had the appearance and look of a fury, his actions
corresponded with that character.




THE EXPLOITS, ARREST, AND EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN CHARLES
VANE.


Charles Vane was one of those who stole away the silver which the
Spaniards had fished up from the wrecks of the galleons in the Gulf of
Florida, and was at Providence when governor Rogers arrived there with
two men-of-war.

All the pirates who were then found at this colony of rogues, submitted
and received certificates of their pardon, except Captain Vane and his
crew; who, as soon as they saw the men-of-war enter, slipped their
cable, set fire to a prize they had in the harbor, sailed out with their
piratical colors flying, and fired at one of the men-of-war, as they
went off from the coast.

Two days after, they met with a sloop belonging to Barbadoes, which they
took, and kept the vessel for their own use, putting aboard five and
twenty hands, with one Yeates the commander. In a day or two they fell
in with a small interloping trader, with a quantity of Spanish pieces of
eight aboard, bound for Providence, which they also took along with
them. With these two sloops, Vane went to a small island and cleaned;
where he shared the booty, and spent some time in a riotous manner.

About the latter end of May 1718, Vane and his crew sailed, and being in
want of provisions, they beat up for the Windward Islands. In the way
they met with a Spanish sloop, bound from Porto Rico to the Havana,
which they burnt, stowed the Spaniards into a boat, and left them to
get to the island by the blaze of their vessel. Steering between St.
Christopher's and Anguilla, they fell in with a brigantine and a sloop,
freighted with such cargo as they wanted; from whom they got provisions
for sea-store.

Sometime after this, standing to the northward, in the track the old
English ships take in their voyage to the American colonies, they took
several ships and vessels, which they plundered of what they thought
fit, and then let them pass.

About the latter end of August, with his consort Yeates, came off South
Carolina, and took a ship belonging to Ipswich, laden with logwood. This
was thought convenient enough for their own business, and therefore they
ordered their prisoners to work, and threw all the lading overboard; but
when they had more than half cleared the ship, the whim changed, and
they would not have her; so Coggershall, the captain of the captured
vessel, had his ship again, and he was suffered to pursue his voyage
home. In this voyage the pirates took several ships and vessels,
particularly a sloop from Barbadoes, a small ship from Antigua, a sloop
belonging to Curaçoa, and a large brigantine from Guinea, with upwards
of ninety negroes aboard. The pirates plundered them all and let them
go, putting the negroes out of the brigantine aboard Yeates' vessel.

Captain Vane always treated his consort with very little respect, and
assumed a superiority over him and his crew, regarding the vessel but as
a tender to his own: this gave them disgust; for they thought themselves
as good pirates, and as great rogues as the best of them; so they
caballed together, and resolved, the first opportunity, to leave the
company, and accept of his majesty's pardon, or set up for themselves;
either of which they thought more honorable than to be the servants to
Vane: the putting aboard so many negroes, where there were so few hands
to take care of them, aggravated the matter, though they thought fit to
conceal or stifle their resentment at that time.

In a day or two, the pirates lying off at anchor, Yeates in the evening
slipped his cable, and put his vessel under sail, standing into the
shore; which when Vane saw, he was highly provoked, and got his sloop
under sail to chase his consort. Vane's brigantine sailing best, he
gained ground of Yeates, and would certainly have come up with them, had
he had a little longer run; but just as he got over the bar, when Vane
came within gun-shot of him, he fired a broadside at his old friend, and
so took his leave.

Yeates came into North Eddisto river, about ten leagues to the southward
of Charleston, and sent an express to the governor, to know if he and
his comrades might have the benefit of his majesty's pardon; promising
that, if they might, they would surrender themselves to his mercy, with
the sloops and negroes. Their request being granted, they all came up,
and received certificates; and Captain Thompson, from whom the negroes
were taken, had them all restored to him, for the use of his owners.

Vane cruised some time off the bar, in hopes to catch Yeates at his
coming out again, but therein he was disappointed; however, he there
took two ships from Charleston, which were bound home to England. It
happened just at this time, that two sloops well manned and armed, were
equipped to go after a pirate, which the governor of South Carolina was
informed lay then in Cape Fear river cleaning: but Colonel Rhet, who
commanded the sloops, meeting with one of the ships that Vane had
plundered, going back over the bar for such necessaries as had been
taken from her, and she giving the Colonel an account of being taken by
the pirate Vane, and also, that some of her men, while they were
prisoners on board of him, had heard the pirates say they should clean
in one of the rivers to the southward, he altered his first design, and
instead of standing to the northward, in pursuit of the pirate in Cape
Fear river, turned to the southward after Vane, who had ordered such
reports to be given out, on purpose to put any force that should come
after him upon a wrong scent; for he stood away to the northward, so
that the pursuit proved to be of no effect. Colonel Rhet's speaking with
this ship was the most unlucky thing that could have happened, because
it turned him out of the road which, in all probability, would have
brought him into the company of Vane, as well as of the pirate he went
after, and so they might have been both destroyed; whereas, by the
Colonel's going a different way, he not only lost the opportunity of
meeting with one, but if the other had not been infatuated, and lain six
weeks together at Cape Fear, he would have missed him likewise; however,
the Colonel having searched the rivers and inlets, as directed, for
several days without success, at length sailed in prosecution of his
first design, and met with the pirate accordingly, whom he fought and
took.

Captain Vane went into an inlet to the northward, where he met with
Captain Teach, otherwise Black Beard, whom he saluted (when he found who
he was) with his great guns loaded with shot: it being the custom among
pirates when they meet, to do so, though they are wide of one another:
Black Beard answered the salute in the same manner, and mutual
civilities passed between them some days, when, about the beginning of
October, Vane took leave, and sailed farther to the northward.

On the 23d of October, off Long Island, he took a small brigantine bound
from Jamaica to Salem in New England, besides a little sloop: they
rifled the brigantine, and sent her away. From thence they resolved on a
cruise between Cape Meise and Cape Nicholas, where they spent some time
without seeing or speaking with any vessel, till the latter end of
November; they then fell in with a ship, which it was expected would
have struck as soon as their black colors were hoisted; but instead of
this she discharged a broadside upon the pirate, and hoisted French
colors, which showed her to be a French man-of-war. Vane desired to have
nothing more to say to her, but trimmed his sails, and stood away from
the Frenchman; however, Monsieur having a mind to be better informed who
he was, set all his sails and crowded after him. During this chase the
pirates were divided in their resolution what to do. Vane, the captain,
was for making off as fast as he could, alleging that the man-of-war was
too strong for them to cope with; but one John Rackam, their
quarter-master, and who was a kind of check upon the captain, rose up in
defence of a contrary opinion, saying, "that though she had more guns,
and a greater weight of metal, they might board her, and then the best
boys would carry the day." Rackam was well seconded, and the majority
was for boarding; but Vane urged, "that it was too rash and desperate an
enterprise, the man-of-war appearing to be twice their force, and that
their brigantine might be sunk by her before they could reach to board
her." The mate, one Robert Deal, was of Vane's opinion, as were about
fifteen more, and all the rest joined with Rackam the quarter-master. At
length the captain made use of his power to determine this dispute,
which in these cases is absolute and uncontrollable, by their own laws,
viz., the captain's absolute right of determining in all questions
concerning fighting, chasing, or being chased; in all other matters
whatsoever the captain being governed by a majority; so the brigantine
having the heels, as they term it, of the Frenchman, she came clear off.

But the next day, the captain's conduct was obliged to stand the test of
a vote, and a resolution passed against his honor and dignity, which
branded him with the name of coward, deposed him from the command, and
turned him out of the company with marks of infamy; and with him went
all those who did not vote for boarding the French man-of-war. They had
with them a small sloop that had been taken by them some time before,
which they gave to Vane and the discarded members; and that they might
be in a condition to provide for themselves by their own honest
endeavors, they let them have a sufficient quantity of provisions and
ammunition.

John Rackam was voted captain of the brigantine in Vane's room, and he
proceeded towards the Carribbee Islands, where we must leave him, till
we have finished our history of Charles Vane.

The sloop sailed for the bay of Honduras, and Vane and his crew put her
in as good a condition as they could by the way, that they might follow
their old trade. They cruised two or three days off the northwest part
of Jamaica, and took a sloop and two perriaguas, all the men of which
entered with them: the sloop they kept, and Robert Deal was appointed
captain.

On the 16th of December, the two sloops came into the bay, where they
found only one vessel at anchor. She was called the Pearl of Jamaica,
and got under sail at the sight of them; but the pirate sloops coming
near Rowland, and showing no colors, he gave them a gun or two,
whereupon they hoisted the black flag, and fired three guns each at the
Pearl. She struck, and the pirates took possession, and carried her away
to a small island called Barnacho, where they cleaned. By the way they
met with a sloop from Jamaica, as she was going down to the bay, which
they also took.

In February, Vane sailed from Barnacho, for a cruise; but, some days
after he was out, a violent tornado overtook him, which separated him
from his consort, and, after two days' distress, threw his sloop upon a
small uninhabited island, near the bay of Honduras, where she staved to
pieces, and most of her men were drowned: Vane himself was saved, but
reduced to great straits for want of necessaries, having no opportunity
to get any thing from the wreck. He lived here some weeks, and was
supported chiefly by fishermen, who frequented the island with small
crafts from the main, to catch turtles and other fish.

[Illustration: _Vane arrested by Captain Holford._]

While Vane was upon this island, a ship put in there from Jamaica for
water, the captain of which, one Holford, an old buccaneer, happened to
be Vane's acquaintance. He thought this a good opportunity to get off,
and accordingly applied to his old friend: but Holford absolutely
refused him, saying to him, "Charles, I shan't trust you aboard my ship,
unless I carry you as a prisoner, for I shall have you caballing with my
men, knocking me on the head, and running away with my ship pirating."
Vane made all the protestations of honor in the world to him; but, it
seems, Captain Holford was too intimately acquainted with him, to repose
any confidence at all in his words or oaths. He told him, "He might
easily find a way to get off, if he had a mind to it:--I am going down
the bay," said he, "and shall return hither in about a month, and if I
find you upon the island when I come back, I'll carry you to Jamaica,
and there hang you." "How can I get away?" answered Vane. "Are there not
fishermen's dories upon the beach? Can't you take one of them?" replied
Holford. "What!" said Vane, "would you have me steal a dory then?" "Do
you make it a matter of conscience," replied Holford, "to steal a dory,
when you have been a common robber and pirate, stealing ships and
cargoes, and plundering all mankind that fell in your way! Stay here if
you are so squeamish?" and he left him to consider of the matter.

After Captain Holford's departure, another ship put into the same
island, in her way home, for water; none of the company knowing Vane, he
easily passed for another man, and so was shipped for the voyage. One
would be apt to think that Vane was now pretty safe, and likely to
escape the fate which his crimes had merited; but here a cross accident
happened that ruined all. Holford returning from the bay, was met by
this ship, and the captains being very well acquainted with each other,
Holford was invited to dine aboard, which he did. As he passed along to
the cabin, he chanced to cast his eye down into the hold, and there saw
Charles Vane at work: he immediately spoke to the captain, saying, "Do
you know whom you have got aboard there?" "Why," said he, "I have
shipped a man at such an island, who was cast away in a trading sloop,
and he seems to be a brisk hand." "I tell you," replied Captain Holford,
"it is Vane the notorious pirate." "If it be he," cried the other, "I
won't keep him." "Why then," said Holford, "I'll send and take him
aboard, and surrender him at Jamaica." This being agreed upon, Captain
Holford, as soon as he returned to his ship, sent his boat with his
mate, armed, who coming to Vane, showed him a pistol, and told him he
was his prisoner. No man daring to make opposition, he was brought
aboard and put into irons; and when Captain Holford arrived at Jamaica,
he delivered up his old acquaintance to justice, at which place he was
tried, convicted, and executed, as was some time before, Vane's consort,
Robert Deal, who was brought thither by one of the men-of-war. It is
clear from this how little ancient friendship will avail a great
villain, when he is deprived of the power that had before supported and
rendered him formidable.

[Illustration]




THE WEST INDIA PIRATES


_Containing Accounts of their Atrocities, Manners of Living, &c., with
proceedings of the Squadron under Commodore Porter in those seas, the
victory and death of Lieutenant Allen, the interesting Narrative of
Captain Lincoln, &c._

Those innumerable groups of islands, keys and sandbanks, known as the
West-Indies, are peculiarly adapted from their locality and formation,
to be a favorite resort for pirates; many of them are composed of coral
rocks, on which a few cocoa trees raise their lofty heads; where there
is sufficient earth for vegetation between the interstices of the rocks,
stunted brushwood grows. But a chief peculiarity of some of the islands,
and which renders them suitable to those who frequent them as pirates,
are the numerous caves with which the rocks are perforated; some of them
are above high-water mark, but the majority with the sea water flowing
in and out of them, in some cases merely rushing in at high-water
filling deep pools, which are detached from each other when the tide
recedes, in others with a sufficient depth of water to allow a large
boat to float in. It is hardly necessary to observe how convenient the
higher and dry caves are as receptacles for articles which are intended
to be concealed, until an opportunity occurs to dispose of them. The
Bahamas, themselves are a singular group of isles, reefs and quays;
consisting of several hundred in number, and were the chief resort of
pirates in old times, but now they are all rooted from them; they are
low and not elevated, and are more than 600 miles in extent, cut up into
numerous intricate passages and channels, full of sunken rocks and coral
reefs. They afforded a sure retreat to desperadoes. Other islands are
full of mountain fastnesses, where all pursuit can be eluded. Many of
the low shores are skirted, and the islands covered by the mangrove, a
singular tree, shooting fresh roots as it grows, which, when the tree is
at its full age, may be found six or eight feet from the ground, to
which the shoots gradually tend in regular succession; the leaf is very
thick and stiff and about eight inches long and nine wide, the interval
between the roots offer secure hiding places for those who are suddenly
pursued. Another circumstance assists the pirate when pursued.--As the
islands belong to several different nations, when pursued from one
island he can pass to that under the jurisdiction of another power. And
as permission must be got by those in pursuit of him, from the
authorities of the island to land and take him, he thus gains time to
secrete himself. A tropical climate is suited to a roving life, and
liquor as well as dissolute women being in great abundance, to gratify
him during his hours of relaxation, makes this a congenial region for
the lawless.

[Illustration: _A Piratical Vessel destroying a Merchant Ship._]

The crews of pirate vessels in these seas are chiefly composed of
Spaniards, Portuguese, French, Mulattoes, Negroes, and a few natives of
other countries. The island of Cuba is the great nest of pirates at the
present day, and at the Havana, piracy is as much tolerated as any other
profession. As the piracies committed in these seas, during a single
year, have amounted to more than fifty, we shall give only a few
accounts of the most interesting.

In November 1821, the brig Cobbessecontee, Captain Jackson, sailed from
Havana, on the morning of the 8th for Boston, and on the evening of the
same day, about four miles from the Moro, was brought to by a piratical
sloop containing about 30 men. A boat from her, with 10 men, came
alongside, and soon after they got on board commenced plundering. They
took nearly all the clothing from the captain and mate--all the cooking
utensils and spare rigging--unrove part of the running rigging--cut the
small cable--broke the compasses--cut the mast's coats to pieces--took
from the captain his watch and four boxes cigars--and from the cargo
three bales cochineal and six boxes cigars. They beat the mate
unmercifully, and hung him up by the neck under the maintop. They also
beat the captain severely--broke a large broad sword across his back,
and ran a long knife through his thigh, so that he almost bled to death.
Captain Jackson saw the sloop at Regla the day before.

Captain Jackson informs us, and we have also been informed by other
persons from the Havana, that this system of piracy is openly
countenanced by some of the inhabitants of that place--who say that it
is a retaliation on the Americans for interfering against the Slave
Trade.

About this time the ship Liverpool Packet, Ricker, of Portsmouth, N.H.,
was boarded off Cape St. Antonio, Cuba, by two piratical schooners; two
barges containing thirty or forty men, robbed the vessel of every thing
movable, even of her _flags_, rigging, and a boat which happened to be
afloat, having a boy in it, which belonged to the ship. They held a
consultation whether they should murder the crew, as they had done
before, or not--in the mean time taking the ship into anchoring ground.
On bringing her to anchor, the crew saw a brig close alongside, burnt to
the water's edge, and three dead bodies floating near her. The pirates
said they had burnt the brig the day before, and _murdered all the
crew!_--and intended doing the same with them. They said "look at the
turtles (meaning the dead bodies) you will soon be the same." They said
the vessel was a Baltimore brig, which they had robbed and burnt, and
murdered the crew as before stated, of which they had little doubt.
Captain Ricker was most shockingly bruised by them. The mate was hung
till he was supposed to be dead, but came to, and is now alive. They
told the captain that they belonged in Regla, and should kill them all
to prevent discovery.

In 1822, the United States had several cruisers among the West-India
islands, to keep the pirates in check. Much good was done but still many
vessels were robbed and destroyed, together with their crews. This year
the brave Lieutenant Allen fell by the hand of pirates; he was in the
United States schooner Alligator, and receiving intelligence at
Matanzas, that several vessels which had sailed from that port, had been
taken by the pirates, and were then in the bay of Lejuapo. He hastened
to their assistance. He arrived just in time to save five sail of
vessels which he found in possession of a gang of pirates, 300 strong,
established in the bay of Lejuapo, about 15 leagues east of this. He
fell, pierced by two musket balls, in the van of a division of boats,
attacking their principal vessel, a fine schooner of about eighty tons,
with a long eighteen pounder on a pivot, and four smaller guns, _with
the bloody flag nailed to the mast_. Himself, Captain Freeman of
Marines, and twelve men, were in the boat, much in advance of his other
boats, and even took possession of the schooner, after a desperate
resistance, which nothing but a bravery almost too daring could have
overcome. The pirates, all but one, escaped by taking to their boats and
jumping overboard, before the Alligator's boat reached them. Two other
schooners escaped by the use of their oars, the wind being light.

Captain Allen survived about four hours, during which his conversation
evinced a composure and firmness of mind, and correctness of feeling, as
honorable to his character, and more consoling to his friends, than even
the dauntless bravery he before exhibited.

The surgeon of the Alligator in a letter to a friend, says, "He
continued giving orders and conversing with Mr. Dale and the rest of us,
until a few minutes before his death, with a degree of cheerfulness that
was little to be expected from a man in his condition. He said he wished
his relatives and his country to know that he had fought well, and added
that he died in peace and good will towards all the world, and hoped for
his reward in the next."

Lieutenant Allen had but few equals in the service. He was ardently
devoted to the interest of his country, was brave, intelligent, and
accomplished in his profession. He displayed, living and dying, a
magnanimity that sheds lustre on his relatives, his friends, and his
country.

[Illustration: _Horrid Piracy and Murder by a Mexican "privateer."_]

About this time Captain Lincoln fell into the hands of the pirates, and
as his treatment shows the peculiar habits and practices of these
wretches, we insert the very interesting narrative of the captain.

The schooner Exertion, Captain Lincoln, sailed from Boston, bound for
Trinidad de Cuba, Nov. 13th, 1821, with the following crew; Joshua
Bracket, mate; David Warren, cook; and Thomas Young, Francis De Suze,
and George Reed, seamen.

The cargo consisted of flour, beef, pork, lard, butter, fish, beans,
onions, potatoes, apples, hams, furniture, sugar box shooks, &c.,
invoiced at about eight thousand dollars. Nothing remarkable occurred
during the passage, except much bad weather, until my capture, which was
as follows:--

Monday, December 17th, 1821, commenced with fine breezes from the
eastward. At daybreak saw some of the islands northward of Cape Cruz,
called Keys--stood along northwest; every thing now seemed favorable for
a happy termination of our voyage. At 3 o'clock, P.M., saw a sail coming
round one of the Keys, into a channel called Boca de Cavolone by the
chart, nearly in latitude 20° 55' north, longitude 79° 55' west, she
made directly for us with all sails set, sweeps on both sides (the wind
being light) and was soon near enough for us to discover about forty men
on her deck, armed with muskets, blunderbusses, cutlasses, long knives,
dirks, &c., two carronades, one a twelve, the other a six pounder; she
was a schooner, wearing the Patriot flag (blue, white and blue) of the
Republic of Mexico. I thought it not prudent to resist them, should they
be pirates, with a crew of seven men, and only five muskets; accordingly
ordered the arms and ammunition to be immediately stowed away in as
secret a place as possible, and suffer her to speak us, hoping and
believing that a republican flag indicated both honor and friendship
from those who wore it, and which we might expect even from Spaniards.
But how great was my astonishment, when the schooner having approached
very near us, hailed in English, and ordered me to heave my boat out
immediately and come on board of her with my papers.--Accordingly my
boat was hove out, but filled before I could get into her.--I was then
ordered to tack ship and lay by for the pirates' boat to board me; which
was done by Bolidar, their first lieutenant, with six or eight Spaniards
armed with as many of the before mentioned weapons as they could well
sling about their bodies. They drove me into the boat, and two of them
rowed me to their privateer (as they called their vessel), where I shook
hands with their commander, Captain Jonnia, a Spaniard, who before
looking at my papers, ordered Bolidar, his lieutenant, to follow the
Mexican in, back of the Key they had left, which was done. At 6 o'clock,
P.M., the Exertion was anchored in eleven feet water, near this vessel,
and an island, which they called Twelve League Key (called by the chart
Key Largo), about thirty or thirty-five leagues from Trinidad. After
this strange conduct they began examining my papers by a Scotchman who
went by the name of Nickola, their sailing master.--He spoke good
English, had a countenance rather pleasing, although his beard and
mustachios had a frightful appearance--his face, apparently full of
anxiety, indicated something in my favor; he gave me my papers, saying
"take good care of them, for I am afraid you have fallen into bad
hands." The pirates' boat was then sent to the Exertion with more men
and arms; a part of them left on board her; the rest returning with
three of my crew to their vessel; viz., Thomas Young, Thomas Goodall,
and George Reed--they treated them with something to drink, and offered
them equal shares with themselves, and some money, if they would enlist,
but they could not prevail on them. I then requested permission to go on
board my vessel which was granted, and further requested Nickola should
go with me, but was refused by the captain, who vociferated in a harsh
manner, "No, No, No." accompanied with a heavy stamp upon the deck. When
I got on board, I was invited below by Bolidar, where I found they had
emptied the case of liquors, and broken a cheese to pieces and crumbled
it on the table and cabin floor; the pirates, elated with their prize
(as they called it), had drank so much as to make them desperately
abusive. I was permitted to lie down in my berth; but, reader, if you
have ever been awakened by a gang of armed, desperadoes, who have taken
possession of your habitation in the midnight hour, you can imagine my
feelings.--Sleep was a stranger to me, and anxiety was my guest.
Bolidar, however, pretended friendship, and flattered me with the
prospect of being soon set at liberty. But I found him, as I suspected,
a consummate hypocrite; indeed, his very looks indicated it. He was a
stout and well built man, of a dark, swarthy complexion, with keen,
ferocious eyes, huge whiskers, and beard under his chin and on his lips,
four or five inches long; he was a Portuguese by birth, but had become a
naturalized Frenchman--had a wife, if not children (as I was told) in
France, and was well known there as commander of a first rate privateer.
His appearance was truly terrific; he could talk some English, and had a
most lion-like voice.

Tuesday, 18th.--Early this morning the captain of the pirates came on
board the Exertion; took a look at the cabin stores, and cargo in the
state rooms, and then ordered me back with him to his vessel, where he,
with his crew, held a consultation for some time respecting the cargo.
After which, the interpreter, Nickola, told me that "the captain had, or
pretended to have, a commission under General Traspelascus,
commander-in-chief of the republic of Mexico, authorizing him to take
all cargoes whatever of provisions, bound to any royalist Spanish
port--that my cargo being bound to an enemy's port, must be condemned;
but that the vessel should be given up and be put into a fair channel
for Trinidad, where I was bound." I requested him to examine the papers
thoroughly, and perhaps he would be convinced to the contrary, and told
him my cargo was all American property taken in at Boston, and consigned
to an American gentleman, agent at Trinidad. But the captain would not
take the trouble, but ordered both vessels under way immediately, and
commenced beating up amongst the Keys through most of the day, the wind
being very light. They now sent their boats on board the Exertion for
stores, and commenced plundering her of bread, butter, lard, onions,
potatoes, fish, beans, &c., took up some sugar box shocks that were on
deck, and found the barrels of apples; selected the best of them and
threw the rest overboard. They inquired for spirits, wine, cider, &c.
and were told "they had already taken all that was on board." But not
satisfied they proceeded to search the state rooms and forcastle, ripped
up the floor of the later and found some boxes of bottled cider, which
they carried to their vessel, gave three cheers, in an exulting manner
to me, and then began drinking it with such freedom, that a violent
quarrel arose between officers and men, which came very near ending in
bloodshed. I was accused of falsehood, for saying they had got all the
liquors that were on board, and I thought they had; the truth was, I
never had any bill of lading of the cider, and consequently had no
recollection of its being on board; yet it served them as an excuse for
being insolent. In the evening peace was restored and they sung songs. I
was suffered to go below for the night, and they placed a guard over me,
stationed at the companion way.

Wednesday, 19th, commenced with moderate easterly winds, beating towards
the northeast, the pirate's boats frequently going on board the Exertion
for potatoes, fish, beans, butter, &c. which were used with great waste
and extravagance. They gave me food and drink, but of bad quality, more
particularly the victuals, which was wretchedly cooked. The place
assigned me to eat was covered with dirt and vermin. It appeared that
their great object was to hurt my feelings with threats and
observations, and to make my situation as unpleasant as circumstances
would admit. We came to anchor near a Key, called by them Brigantine,
where myself and mate were permitted to go on shore, but were guarded by
several armed pirates. I soon returned to the Mexican and my mate to the
Exertion, with George Reed, one of my crew; the other two being kept on
board the Mexican. In the course of this day I had considerable
conversation with Nickola, who appeared well disposed towards me. He
lamented most deeply his own situation, for he was one of those men,
whose early good impressions were not entirely effaced, although
confederated with guilt. He told me "those who had taken me were no
better than pirates, and their end would be the halter; but," he added,
with peculiar emotion, "I will never be hung as a pirate," showing me a
bottle of laudanum which he had found in my medicine chest, saying, "If
we are taken, that shall cheat the hangman, before we are condemned." I
endeavored to get it from him, but did not succeed. I then asked him how
he came to be in such company, as he appeared to be dissatisfied. He
stated, that he was at New Orleans last summer, out of employment, and
became acquainted with one Captain August Orgamar, a Frenchman, who had
bought a small schooner of about fifteen tons, and was going down to the
bay of Mexico to get a commission under General Traspelascus, in order
to go a privateering under the patriot flag. Capt. Orgamar made him
liberal offers respecting shares, and promised him a sailing master's
berth, which he accepted and embarked on board the schooner, without
sufficiently reflecting on the danger of such an undertaking. Soon after
she sailed from Mexico, where they got a commission, and the vessel was
called Mexican. They made up a complement of twenty men, and after
rendering the General some little service, in transporting his troops
to a place called ---- proceeded on a cruise; took some small prizes off
Campeachy; afterwards came on the south coast of Cuba, where they took
other small prizes, and the one which we were now on board of. By this
time the crew were increased to about forty, nearly one half Spaniards,
the others Frenchmen and Portuguese. Several of them had sailed out of
ports in the United States with American protections; but, I confidently
believe, none are natives, especially of the northern states. I was
careful in examining the men, being desirous of knowing if any of my
countrymen were among this wretched crew; but am satisfied there were
none, and my Scotch friend concurred in the opinion. And now, with a new
vessel, which was the prize of these plunderers, they sailed up
Manganeil bay; previously, however, they fell in with an American
schooner, from which they bought four barrels of beef, and paid in
tobacco. At the Bay was an English brig belonging to Jamaica, owned by
Mr. John Louden of that place. On board of this vessel the Spanish part
of the crew commenced their depredations as pirates, although Captain
Orgamar and Nickola protested against it, and refused any participation;
but they persisted, and like so many ferocious blood-hounds, boarded the
brig, plundered the cabin, stores, furniture, captain's trunk, &c., took
a hogshead of rum, one twelve pound carronade, some rigging and sails.
One of them plundered the chest of a sailor, who made some resistance,
so that the Spaniard took his cutlass, and beat and wounded him without
mercy. Nickola asked him "why he did it?" the fellow answered, "I will
let you know," and took up the cook's axe and gave him a cut on the
head, which nearly deprived him of life. Then they ordered Captain
Orgamar to leave his vessel, allowing him his trunk and turned him
ashore, to seek for himself. Nickola begged them to dismiss him with his
captain, but no, no, was the answer; for they had no complete navigator
but him. After Captain Orgamar was gone, they put in his stead the
present brave (or as I should call him cowardly) Captain Jonnia, who
headed them in plundering the before mentioned brig, and made Bolidar
their first lieutenant, and then proceeded down among those Keys or
Islands, where I was captured. This is the amount of what my friend
Nickola told me of their history.

Saturday, 22d.--Both vessels under way standing to the eastward, they
ran the Exertion aground on a bar, but after throwing overboard most of
her deck load of shooks, she floated off; a pilot was sent to her, and
she was run into a narrow creek between two keys, where they moored her
head and stern along side of the mangrove trees, set down her yards and
topmasts, and covered her mast heads and shrouds with bushes to prevent
her being seen by vessels which might pass that way. I was then suffered
to go on board my own vessel, and found her in a very filthy condition;
sails torn, rigging cut to pieces, and every thing in the cabin in waste
and confusion. The swarms of moschetoes and sand-flies made it
impossible to get any sleep or rest. The pirate's large boat was armed
and manned under Bolidar, and sent off with letters to a merchant (as
they called him) by the name of Dominico, residing in a town called
Principe, on the main island of Cuba. I was told by one of them, who
could speak English, that Principe was a very large and populous town,
situated at the head of St. Maria, which was about twenty miles
northeast from where we lay, and the Keys lying around us were called
Cotton Keys.--The captain pressed into his service Francis de Suze, one
of my crew, saying that he was one of his countrymen. Francis was very
reluctant in going, and said to me, with tears in his eyes, "I shall do
nothing but what I am obliged to do, and will not aid in the least to
hurt you or the vessel; I am very sorry to leave you." He was
immediately put on duty and Thomas Goodall sent back to the Exertion.

Sunday, 23d.--Early this morning a large number of the pirates came on
board of the Exertion, threw out the long boat, broke open the hatches,
and took out considerable of the cargo, in search of rum, gin, &c.,
still telling me "I had some and they would find it," uttering the most
awful profaneness. In the afternoon their boat returned with a perough,
having on board the captain, his first lieutenant and seven men of a
patriot or piratical vessel that was chased ashore at Cape Cruz by a
Spanish armed brig. These seven men made their escape in said boat, and
after four days, found our pirates and joined them; the remainder of the
crew being killed or taken prisoners.

Monday, 24th.--Their boat was manned and sent to the before-mentioned
town.--I was informed by a line from Nickola, that the pirates had a man
on board, a native of Principe, who, in the garb of a sailor, was a
partner with Dominico, but I could not get sight of him. This lets us a
little into the plans by which this atrocious system of piracy has been
carried on. Merchants having partners on board of these pirates! thus
pirates at sea and robbers on land are associated to destroy the
peaceful trader. The willingness exhibited by the seven above-mentioned
men, to join our gang of pirates, seems to look like a general
understanding among them; and from there being merchants on shore so
base as to encourage the plunder and vend the goods, I am persuaded
there has been a systematic confederacy on the part of these
unprincipled desperadoes, under cover of the patriot flag; and those on
land are no better than those on the sea. If the governments to whom
they belong know of the atrocities committed (and I have but little
doubt they do) they deserve the execration of all mankind.

Thursday, 27th.--A gang of the pirates came and stripped our masts of
the green bushes, saying, "she appeared more like a sail than
trees"--took one barrel of bread and one of potatoes, using about one of
each every day. I understood they were waiting for boats to take the
cargo; for the principal merchant had gone to Trinidad.

Sunday, 30th.--The beginning of trouble! This day, which peculiarly
reminds Christians of the high duties of compassion and benevolence, was
never observed by these pirates. This, of course, we might expect, as
they did not often know when the day came, and if they knew it, it was
spent in gambling. The old saying among seamen, "no Sunday off
soundings," was not thought of; and even this poor plea was not theirs,
for they were on soundings and often at anchor.--Early this morning, the
merchant, as they called him, came with a large boat for the cargo. I
was immediately ordered into the boat with my crew, not allowed any
breakfast, and carried about three miles to a small island out of sight
of the Exertion, and left there by the side of a little pond of thick,
muddy water, which proved to be very brackish, with nothing to eat but a
few biscuits. One of the boat's men told us the merchant was afraid of
being recognized, and when he had gone the boat would return for us; but
we had great reason to apprehend they would deceive us, and therefore
passed the day in the utmost anxiety. At night, however, the boats came
and took us again on board the Exertion; when, to our surprise and
astonishment, we found they had broken open the trunks and chests, and
taken all our wearing apparel, not even leaving a shirt or pair of
pantaloons, nor sparing a small miniature of my wife which was in my
trunk. The little money I and my mate had, with some belonging to the
owners, my mate had previously distributed about the cabin in three or
four parcels, while I was on board the pirate, for we dare not keep it
about us; one parcel in a butter pot they did not discover.--Amidst the
hurry with which I was obliged to go to the before-mentioned island, I
fortunately snatched by vessel's papers, and hid them in my bosom, which
the reader will find was a happy circumstance for me. My writing desk,
with papers, accounts, &c., all Mr. Lord's letters (the gentlemen to
whom my cargo was consigned) and several others were taken and
maliciously destroyed. My medicine chest, which I so much wanted, was
kept for their own use. What their motive could be to take my papers I
could not imagine, except they had hopes of finding bills of lading for
some Spaniards, to clear them from piracy. Mr. Bracket had some notes
and papers of consequence to him, which shared the same fate. My
quadrant, charts, books and bedding were not yet taken, but I found it
impossible to hide them, and they were soon gone from my sight.

[Illustration: _A Cave in the Caicos group of the West India Islands._]

Tuesday, January 1st, 1822--A sad new-year's day to me. Before breakfast
orders came for me to cut down the Exertion's railing and bulwarks on
one side, for their vessel to heave out by, and clean her bottom. On my
hesitating a little they observed with anger, "very well, captain,
suppose you no do it quick, we do it for you." Directly afterwards
another boat full of armed men came along side; they jumped on deck with
swords drawn, and ordered all of us into her immediately; I stepped
below, in hopes of getting something which would be of service to us;
but the captain hallooed, "Go into the boat directly or I will fire upon
you." Thus compelled to obey, we were carried, together with four
Spanish prisoners, to a small, low island or key of sand in the shape of
a half moon, and partly covered with mangrove trees; which was about one
mile from and in sight of my vessel. There they left nine of us, with a
little bread, flour, fish, lard, a little coffee and molasses; two or
three kegs of water, which was brackish; an old sail for a covering, and
a pot and some other articles no way fit to cook in. Leaving us these,
which were much less than they appear in the enumeration, they pushed
off, saying, "we will come to see you in a day or two." Selecting the
best place, we spread the old sail for an awning; but no place was free
from flies, moschetoes, snakes, the venomous skinned scorpion, and the
more venomous santipee. Sometimes they were found crawling inside of
our pantaloons, but fortunately no injury was received. This afternoon
the pirates hove their vessel out by the Exertion and cleaned one side,
using her paints, oil, &c. for that purpose. To see my vessel in that
situation and to think of our prospects was a source of the deepest
distress. At night we retired to our tent; but having nothing but the
cold damp ground for a bed, and the heavy dew of night penetrating the
old canvass--the situation of the island being fifty miles from the
usual track of friendly vessels, and one hundred and thirty-five from
Trinidad--seeing my owner's property so unjustly and wantonly
destroyed--considering my condition, the hands at whose mercy I was, and
deprived of all hopes, rendered sleep or rest a stranger to me.

Friday, 4th.--Commenced with light winds and hot sun, saw a boat coming
from the Exertion, apparently loaded; she passed between two small Keys
to northward, supposed to be bound for Cuba. At sunset a boat came and
inquired if we wanted anything, but instead of adding to our provisions,
took away our molasses, and pushed off. We found one of the Exertion's
water casks, and several pieces of plank, which we carefully laid up, in
hopes of getting enough to make a raft.

Saturday, 5th.--Pirates again in sight, coming from the eastward; they
beat up along side their prize, and commenced loading. In the afternoon
Nickola came to us, bringing with him two more prisoners, which they had
taken in a small sail boat coming from Trinidad to Manganeil, one a
Frenchman, the other a Scotchman, with two Spaniards, who remained on
board the pirate, and who afterwards joined them. The back of one of
these poor fellows was extremely sore, having just suffered a cruel
beating from Bolidar, with the broad side of a cutlass. It appeared,
that when the officer asked him "where their money was, and how much,"
he answered, "he was not certain but believed they had only two ounces
of gold"--Bolidar furiously swore he said "ten," and not finding any
more, gave him the beating. Nickola now related to me a singular fact;
which was, that the Spanish part of the crew were determined to shoot
him; that they tied him to the mast, and a man was appointed for the
purpose; but Lion, a Frenchman, his particular friend, stepped up and
told them, if they shot him they must shoot several more; some of the
Spaniards sided with him, and he was released. Nickola told me, the
reason for such treatment was, that he continually objected to their
conduct towards me, and their opinion if he should escape, they would be
discovered, as he declared he would take no prize money. While with us
he gave me a letter written in great haste, which contains some
particulars respecting the cargo;--as follows:--

_January 4th,_ 1822.

Sir,--We arrived here this morning, and before we came to anchor, had
five canoes alongside ready to take your cargo, part of which we had in;
and as I heard you express a wish to know what they took out of her, to
this moment, you may depend upon this account of Jamieson for quality
and quantity; if I have the same opportunity you will have an account of
the whole. The villain who bought your cargo is from the town of
Principe, his name is Dominico, as to that it is all that I can learn;
they have taken your charts aboard the schooner Mexican, and I suppose
mean to keep them, as the other captain has agreed to act the same
infamous part in the tragedy of his life. Your clothes are here on
board, but do not let me flatter you that you will get them back; it may
be so, and it may not. Perhaps in your old age, when you recline with
ease in a corner of your cottage, you will have the goodness to drop a
tear of pleasure to the memory of him, whose highest ambition should
have been to subscribe himself, though devoted to the gallows, your
friend,

Excuse haste. NICKOLA MONACRE.

Sunday, 6th.--The pirates were under way at sunrise, with a full load of
the Exertion's cargo, going to Principe again to sell a second freight,
which was done readily for cash. I afterwards heard that the flour only
fetched five dollars per barrel, when it was worth at Trinidad thirteen;
so that the villain who bought my cargo at Principe, made very large
profits by it.

Tuesday, 8th.--Early this morning the pirates in sight again, with fore
top sail and top gallant sail set; beat up along side of the Exertion
and commenced loading; having, as I supposed, sold and discharged her
last freight among some of the inhabitants of Cuba. They appeared to
load in great haste; and the song, "O he oh," which echoed from one
vessel to the other, was distinctly heard by us. How wounding was this
to me! How different was this sound from what it would have been, had I
been permitted to pass unmolested by these lawless plunderers, and been
favored with a safe arrival at the port of my destination, where my
cargo would have found an excellent sale. Then would the "O he oh," on
its discharging, have been a delightful sound to me. In the afternoon
she sailed with the perough in tow, both with a full load, having
chairs, which was part of the cargo, slung at her quarters.

Monday, 14th.--They again hove in sight, and beat up as usual,
along-side their prize. While passing our solitary island, they laughed
at our misery, which was almost insupportable--looking upon us as though
we had committed some heinous crime, and they had not sufficiently
punished us; they hallooed to us, crying out "Captain, Captain,"
accompanied with obscene motions and words, with which I shall not
blacken these pages--yet I heard no check upon such conduct, nor could I
expect it among such a gang, who have no idea of subordination on
board, except when in chase of vessels, and even then but very little.
My resentment was excited at such a malicious outrage, and I felt a
disposition to revenge myself, should fortune ever favor me with an
opportunity. It was beyond human nature not to feel and express some
indignation at such treatment.--Soon after, Bolidar, with five men, well
armed, came to us; he having a blunderbuss, cutlass, a long knife and
pair of pistols--but for what purpose did he come? He took me by the
hand, saying, "Captain, me speak with you, walk this way." I obeyed, and
when at some distance from my fellow prisoners, (his men following) he
said, "the captain send me for your _wash_" I pretended not to
understand what he meant, and replied, "I have no clothes, nor any soap
to wash with--you have taken them all," for I had kept my watch about
me, hoping they would not discover it. He demanded it again as before;
and was answered, "I have nothing to wash;" this raised his anger, and
lifting his blunderbuss, he roared out, "what the d--l you call him that
make clock? give it me." I considered it imprudent to contend any
longer, and submitted to his unlawful demand. As he was going off, he
gave me a small bundle, in which was a pair of linen drawers, sent to me
by Nickola, and also the Rev. Mr. Brooks' "Family Prayer Book." This
gave me great satisfaction. Soon after, he returned with his captain,
who had one arm slung up, yet with as many implements of war, as his
diminutive wicked self could conveniently carry; he told me (through an
interpreter who was his prisoner.) "that on his cruize he had fallen in
with two Spanish privateers, and beat them off; but had three of his men
killed, and himself wounded in the arm"--Bolidar turned to me and said,
"it is a d--n lie"--which words proved to be correct, for his arm was
not wounded, and when I saw him again, which was soon afterwards, he had
forgotten to sling it up. He further told me, "after tomorrow you shall
go with your vessel, and we will accompany you towards Trinidad." This
gave me some new hopes, and why I could not tell. They then left us
without rendering any assistance.--This night we got some rest.

Tuesday, 15th. The words "go after tomorrow," were used among our
Spanish fellow prisoners, as though that happy tomorrow would never
come--in what manner it came will soon be noticed.

Friday, 18th commenced with brighter prospects of liberty than ever. The
pirates were employed in setting up our devoted schooner's shrouds,
stays, &c. My condition now reminded me of the hungry man, chained in
one corner of a room, while at another part was a table loaded with
delicious food and fruits, the smell and sight of which he was
continually to experience, but alas! his chains were never to be loosed
that he might go and partake--at almost the same moment they were thus
employed, the axe was applied with the greatest dexterity to both her
masts and I saw them fall over the side! Here fell my hopes--I looked at
my condition, and then thought of home.--Our Spanish fellow prisoners
were so disappointed and alarmed that they recommended hiding ourselves,
if possible, among the mangrove trees, believing, as they said, we
should now certainly be put to death; or, what was worse, compelled to
serve on board the Mexican as pirates. Little else it is true, seemed
left for us; however, we kept a bright look out for them during the day,
and at night "an anchor watch" as we called it, determined if we
discovered their boats coming towards us, to adopt the plan of hiding,
although starvation stared us in the face--yet preferred that to instant
death. This night was passed in sufficient anxiety--I took the first
watch.

Saturday, 19th.--The pirate's largest boat came for us--it being
day-light, and supposing they could see us, determined to stand our
ground and wait the result. They ordered us all into the boat, but left
every thing else; they rowed towards the Exertion--I noticed a
dejection of spirits in one of the pirates, and inquired of him where
they were going to carry us? He shook his head and replied, "I do not
know." I now had some hopes of visiting my vessel again--but the pirates
made sail, ran down, took us in tow and stood out of the harbor. Bolidar
afterwards took me, my mate and two of my men on board and gave us some
coffee. On examination I found they had several additional light sails,
made of the Exertion's. Almost every man, a pair of canvas trousers; and
my colors cut up and made into belts to carry their money about them. My
jolly boat was on deck, and I was informed, all my rigging was disposed
of. Several of the pirates had on some of my clothes, and the captain
one of my best shirts, a cleaner one, than I had ever seen him have on
before.--He kept at a good distance from me, and forbid my friend
Nickola's speaking to me.--I saw from the companion way in the captain's
cabin my quadrant, spy glass and other things which belonged to us, and
observed by the compass, that the course steered was about west by
south,--distance nearly twenty miles, which brought them up with a
cluster of islands called by some "Cayman Keys." Here they anchored and
caught some fish, (one of which was named _guard fish_) of which we had
a taste. I observed that my friend Mr. Bracket was somewhat dejected,
and asked him in a low voice, what his opinion was with respects to our
fate? He answered, "I cannot tell you, but it appears to me the worst is
to come." I told him that I hoped not, but thought they would give us
our small boat and liberate the prisoners. But mercy even in this shape
was not left-for us. Soon after, saw the captain and officers
whispering for some time in private conference. When over, their boat
was manned under the commond of Bolidar, and went to one of those
Islands or Keys before mentioned. On their return, another conference
took place--whether it was a jury upon our lives we could not tell. I
did not think conscience could be entirely extinguished in the human
breast, or that men could become fiends. In the afternoon, while we knew
not the doom which had been fixed for us, the captain was engaged with
several of his men in gambling, in hopes to get back some of the five
hundred dollars, they said, he lost but a few nights before; which had
made his unusually fractious. A little before sunset he ordered all the
prisoners into the large boat, with a supply of provisions and water,
and to be put on shore. While we were getting into her, one of my fellow
prisoners, a Spaniard, attempted with tears in his eyes to speak to the
captain, but was refused with the answer. "I'll have nothing to say to
any prisoner, go into the boat." In the mean time Nickola said to me,
"My friend, I will give you your book," (being Mr. Colman's Sermons,)
"it is the only thing of yours that is in my possession; I dare not
attempt any thing more." But the captain forbid his giving it to me, and
I stepped into the boat--at that moment Nickola said in a low voice,
"never mind, I may see you again before I die." The small boat was well
armed and manned, and both set off together for the island, where they
had agreed to leave us to perish! The scene to us was a funereal scene.
There were no arms in the prisoners boat, and, of course, all attempts
to relieve ourselves would have been throwing our lives away, as Bolidar
was near us, well armed. We were rowed about two miles north-easterly
from the pirates, to a small low island, lonely and desolate. We arrived
about sunset; and for the support of us eleven prisoners, they only left
a ten gallon keg of water, and perhaps a few quarts, in another small
vessel, which was very poor; part of a barrel of flour, a small keg of
lard, one ham and some salt fish; a small kettle and an old broken pot;
an old sail for a covering, and a small mattress and blanket, which was
thrown out as the boats hastened away. One of the prisoners happened to
have a little coffee in his pocket, and these comprehended all our means
of sustaining life, and for what length of time we knew not. We now
felt the need of water, and our supply was comparatively nothing. A man
may live nearly twice as long without food, as without water. Look at us
now, my friends, left benighted on a little spot of sand in the midst of
the ocean, far from the usual track of vessels, and every appearance of
a violent thunder tempest, and a boisterous night. Judge of my feelings,
and the circumstances which our band of sufferers now witnessed. Perhaps
you can and have pitied us. I assure you, we were very wretched; and to
paint the scene, is not within my power. When the boats were moving from
the shore, on recovering myself a little, I asked Bolidar, "If he was
going to leave us so?"--he answered, "no, only two days--we go for water
and wood, then come back, take you." I requested him to give us bread
and other stores, for they had plenty in the boat, and at least one
hundred barrels of flour in the Mexican. "No, no, suppose to-morrow
morning me come, me give you bread," and hurried off to the vessel. This
was the last time I saw him. We then turned our attention upon finding a
spot most convenient for our comfort, and soon discovered a little roof
supported by stakes driven into the sand; it was thatched with leaves of
the cocoa-nut tree, considerable part of which was torn or blown off.
After spreading the old sail over this roof, we placed our little stock
of provisions under it. Soon after came on a heavy shower of rain which
penetrated the canvas, and made it nearly as uncomfortable inside, as it
would have been out. We were not prepared to catch water, having nothing
to put it in. Our next object was to get fire, and after gathering some
of the driest fuel to be found, and having a small piece of cotton
wick-yarn, with flint and steel, we kindled a fire, which was never
afterwards suffered to be extinguished. The night was very dark, but we
found a piece of old rope, which when well lighted served for a candle.
On examining the ground under the roof, we found perhaps thousands of
creeping insects, scorpions, lizards, crickets, &c. After scraping them
out as well as we could, the most of us having nothing but the damp
earth for a bed, laid ourselves down in hopes of some rest; but it being
so wet, gave many of us severe colds, and one of the Spaniards was quite
sick for several days.

Sunday, 20th.--As soon as day-light came on, we proceeded to take a view
of our little island, and found it to measure only one acre, of coarse,
white sand; about two feet, and in some spots perhaps three feet above
the surface of the ocean. On the highest part were growing some bushes
and small mangroves, (the dry part of which was our fuel) and the wild
castor oil beans. We were greatly disappointed in not finding the latter
suitable food; likewise some of the prickly pear bushes, which gave us
only a few pears about the size of our small button pear; the outside
has thorns, which if applied to the fingers or lips, will remain there,
and cause a severe smarting similar to the nettle; the inside a spungy
substance, full of juice and seeds, which are red and a little
tartish--had they been there in abundance, we should not have suffered
so much for water--but alas! even this substitute was not for us. On the
northerly side of the island was a hollow, where the tide penetrated the
sand, leaving stagnant water. We presumed, in hurricanes the island was
nearly overflowed. According to the best calculations I could make, we
were about thirty-five miles from any part of Cuba, one hundred from
Trinidad and forty from the usual track of American vessels, or others
which might pass that way. No vessel of any considerable size, can
safely pass among these Keys (or "Queen's Gardens," as the Spaniards
call them) being a large number extending from Cape Cruz to Trinidad,
one hundred and fifty miles distance; and many more than the charts have
laid down, most of them very low and some covered at high water, which
makes it very dangerous for navigators without a skilful pilot. After
taking this view of our condition, which was very gloomy, we began to
suspect we were left on this desolate island by those merciless
plunderers to perish. Of this I am now fully convinced; still we looked
anxiously for the pirate's boat to come according to promise with more
water and provisions, but looked in vain. We saw them soon after get
under way with all sail set and run directly from us until out of our
sight, and _we never saw them again_! One may partially imagine our
feelings, but they cannot be put into words. Before they were entirely
out of sight of us, we raised the white blanket upon a pole, waving it
in the air, in hopes, that at two miles distance they would see it and
be moved to pity. But pity in such monsters was not to be found. It was
not their interest to save us from the lingering death, which we now saw
before us. We tried to compose ourselves, trusting to God, who had
witnessed our sufferings, would yet make use of some one, as the
instrument of his mercy towards us. Our next care, now, was to try for
water. We dug several holes in the sand and found it, but quite too salt
for use. The tide penetrates probably through the island. We now came on
short allowances for water. Having no means of securing what we had by
lock and key, some one in the night would slyly drink, and it was soon
gone. The next was to bake some bread, which we did by mixing flour with
salt water and frying it in lard, allowing ourselves eight quite small
pancakes to begin with. The ham was reserved for some more important
occasion, and the salt fish was lost for want of fresh water. The
remainder of this day was passed in the most serious conversation and
reflection. At night, I read prayers from the "Prayer Book," before
mentioned, which I most carefully concealed while last on board the
pirates. This plan was pursued morning and evening, during our stay
there. Then retired for rest and sleep, but realized little of either.

Monday, 21st.--In the morning we walked round the beach, in expectation
of finding something useful. On our way picked up a paddle about three
feet long, very similar to the Indian canoe paddle, except the handle,
which was like that of a shovel, the top part being split off; we laid
it by for the present. We likewise found some konchs and roasted them;
they were pretty good shell fish, though rather tough. We discovered at
low water, a bar or spit of sand extending north-easterly from us, about
three miles distant, to a cluster of Keys, which were covered with
mangrove trees, perhaps as high as our quince tree. My friend Mr.
Bracket and George attempted to wade across, being at that time of tide
only up to their armpits; but were pursued by a shark, and returned
without success. The tide rises about four feet.

Tuesday, 22d.--We found several pieces of the palmetto or cabbage tree,
and some pieces of boards, put them together in the form of a raft, and
endeavored to cross, but that proved ineffectual. Being disappointed, we
set down to reflect upon other means of relief, intending to do all in
our power for safety while our strength continued. While setting here,
the sun was so powerful and oppressive, reflecting its rays upon the
sea, which was then calm, and the white sand which dazzled the eye, was
so painful, that we retired under the awning; there the moschetoes and
flies were so numerous, that good rest could not be found. We were,
however, a little cheered, when, in scraping out the top of the ground
to clear out, I may say, thousands of crickets and bugs, we found a
hatchet, which was to us peculiarly serviceable. At night the strong
north-easterly wind, which prevails there at all seasons, was so cold as
to make it equally uncomfortable with the day. Thus day after day, our
sufferings and apprehensions multiplying, we were very generally
alarmed.

Thursday, 24th.--This morning, after taking a little coffee, made of the
water which we thought least salt, and two or three of the little
cakes, we felt somewhat refreshed, and concluded to make another visit
to those Keys, in hopes of finding something more, which might make a
raft for us to escape the pirates, and avoid perishing by thirst.
Accordingly seven of us set off, waded across the bar and searched all
the Keys thereabouts. On one we found a number of sugar-box shooks, two
lashing plank and some pieces of old spars, which were a part of the
Exertion's deck load, that was thrown overboard when she grounded on the
bar, spoken of in the first part of the narrative. It seems they had
drifted fifteen miles, and had accidentally lodged on these very Keys
within our reach. Had the pirates known this, they would undoubtedly
have placed us in another direction. They no doubt thought that they
could not place us on a worse place. The wind at this time was blowing
so strong on shore, as to prevent rafting our stuff round to our island,
and we were obliged to haul it upon the beach for the present; then dug
for water in the highest place, but found it as salt as ever, and then
returned to our habitation. But hunger and thirst began to prey upon us,
and our comforts were as few as our hopes.

Friday, 25th.--Again passed over to those Keys to windward in order to
raft our stuff to our island, it being most convenient for building. But
the surf on the beach was so very rough, that we were again compelled to
postpone it. Our courage, however, did not fail where there was the
slightest hopes of life. Returning without it, we found on our way an
old top timber of some vessel; it had several spikes on it, which we
afterwards found very serviceable. In the hollow of an old tree, we
found two guarnas of small size, one male, the other female. Only one
was caught. After taking off the skin, we judged it weighed a pound and
a half. With some flour and lard, (the only things we had except salt
water,) it made us a fine little mess. We thought it a rare dish, though
a small one for eleven half starved persons. At the same time a small
vessel hove in sight; we made a signal to her with the blanket tied to a
pole and placed it on the highest tree--some took off their white
clothes and waved them in the air, hoping they would come to us; should
they be pirates, they could do no more than kill us, and perhaps would
give us some water, for which we began to suffer most excessively; but,
notwithstanding all our efforts, she took no notice of us.

Saturday, 26th.--This day commenced with moderate weather and smooth
sea; at low tide found some cockles; boiled and eat them, but they were
very painful to the stomach. David Warren had a fit of strangling, with
swelling of the bowels; but soon recovered, and said, "something like
salt rose in his throat and choked him." Most of us then set off for the
Keys, where the plank and shooks were put together in a raft, which we
with pieces of boards paddled over to our island; when we consulted the
best plan, either to build a raft large enough for us all to go on, or a
boat; but the shooks having three or four nails in each, and having a
piece of large reed or bamboo, previously found, of which we made pins,
we concluded to make a boat.

Sunday, 27--Commenced our labor, for which I know we need offer no
apology. We took the two planks, which were about fourteen feet long,
and two and a half wide, and fixed them together for the bottom of the
boat; then with moulds made of palmetto bark, cut timber and knees from
mangrove trees which spread so much as to make the boat four feet wide
at the top, placed them exactly the distance apart of an Havana sugar
box.--Her stern was square and the bows tapered to a peak, making her
form resemble a flat-iron. We proceeded thus far and returned to rest
for the night--but Mr. Bracket was too unwell to get much sleep.

Monday, 28--Went on with the work as fast as possible. Some of the
Spaniards had long knives about them, which proved very useful in
fitting timbers, and a gimblet of mine, accidentally found on board the
pirate, enabled us to use the wooden pins. And now our spirits began to
revive, though _water, water_, was continually in our minds. We now
feared the pirates might possibly come, find out our plan and put us to
death, (although before we had wished to see them, being so much in want
of water.) Our labor was extremely burdensome, and the Spaniards
considerably peevish--but they would often say to me "never mind
captain, by and by, Americana or Spanyola catch them, me go and see 'um
hung." We quitted work for the day, cooked some cakes but found it
necessary to reduce the quantity again, however small before. We found
some herbs on a windward Key, which the Spaniards called Spanish
tea.--This when well boiled we found somewhat palatable, although the
water was very salt. This herb resembles pennyroyal in look and taste,
though not so pungent. In the evening when we were setting round the
fire to keep of the moschetoes, I observed David Warren's eyes shone
like glass. The mate said to him--"David I think you will die before
morning--I think you are struck with death now." I thought so too, and
told him, "I thought it most likely we should all die here soon; but as
some one of us might survive to carry the tidings to our friends, if you
have any thing to say respecting your family, now is the time."--He then
said, "I have a mother in Saco where I belong--she is a second time a
widow--to-morrow if you can spare a scrap of paper and pencil I will
write something." But no tomorrow came to him.--In the course of the
night he had another spell of strangling, and soon after expired,
without much pain and without a groan. He was about twenty-six years
old.--How solemn was this scene to us! Here we beheld the ravages of
death commenced upon us. More than one of us considered death a happy
release. For myself I thought of my wife and children; and wished to
live if God should so order it, though extreme thirst, hunger and
exhaustion had well nigh prostrated my fondest hopes.

Tuesday, 29th.--Part of us recommenced labor on the boat, while myself
and Mr. Bracket went and selected the highest clear spot of sand on the
northern side of the island, where we dug Warren's grave, and boxed it
up with shooks, thinking it would be the most suitable spot for the rest
of us--whose turn would come next, we knew not. At about ten o'clock,
A.M. conveyed the corpse to the grave, followed by us survivers--a
scene, whose awful solemnity can never be painted. We stood around the
grave, and there I read the funeral prayer from the Rev. Mr. Brooks's
Family Prayer Book; and committed the body to the earth; covered it with
some pieces of board and sand, and returned to our labor. One of the
Spaniards, an old man, named Manuel, who was partial to me, and I to
him, made a cross and placed it at the head of the grave saying, "Jesus
Christ hath him now." Although I did not believe in any mysterious
influence of this cross, yet I was perfectly willing it should stand
there. The middle part of the day being very warm, our mouths parched
with thirst, and our spirits so depressed, that we made but little
progress during the remainder of this day, but in the evening were
employed in picking oakum out of the bolt rope taken from the old sail.

Wednesday, 30th.--Returned to labor on the boat with as much vigor as
our weak and debilitated state would admit, but it was a day of trial to
us all; for the Spaniards and we Americans could not well understand
each other's plans, and they being naturally petulant, would not work,
nor listen with any patience for Joseph, our English fellow prisoner, to
explain our views--they would sometimes undo what they had done, and in
a few minutes replace it again; however before night we began to caulk
her seams, by means of pieces of hard mangrove, made in form of a
caulking-iron, and had the satisfaction of seeing her in a form
something like a boat.

Thursday, 31st.--Went on with the work, some at caulking, others at
battening the seams with strips of canvas, and pieces of pine nailed
over, to keep the oakum in. Having found a suitable pole for a mast, the
rest went about making a sail from the one we had used for a covering,
also fitting oars of short pieces of boards, in form of a paddle, tied
on a pole, we having a piece of fishing line brought by one of the
prisoners. Thus, at three P.M. the boat was completed and put
afloat.--We had all this time confidently hoped, that she would be
sufficiently large and strong to carry us all--we made a trial and were
disappointed! This was indeed a severe trial, and the emotions it called
up were not easy to be suppressed. She proved leaky, for we had no
carpenter's yard, or smith's shop to go to.--And now the question was,
"who should go, and how many?" I found it necessary for six; four to
row, one to steer and one to bale. Three of the Spaniards and the
Frenchman claimed the right, as being best acquainted with the nearest
inhabitants; likewise, they had when taken, two boats left at St. Maria,
(about forty miles distant,) which they were confident of finding. They
promised to return within two or three days for the rest of us--I
thought it best to consent--Mr. Bracket it was agreed should go in my
stead, because my papers must accompany me as a necessary protection,
and my men apprehended danger if they were lost. Joseph Baxter (I think
was his name) they wished should go, because he could speak both
languages--leaving Manuel, George, Thomas and myself, to wait their
return. Having thus made all arrangements, and putting up a keg of the
least salt water, with a few pancakes of salt fish, they set off a
little before sunset with our best wishes and prayers for their safety
and return to our relief.--To launch off into the wide ocean, with
strength almost exhausted, and in such a frail boat as this, you will
say was very hazardous, and in truth it was; but what else was left to
us?--Their intention was to touch at the Key where the Exertion was and
if no boat was to be found there, to proceed to St. Maria, and if none
there, to go to Trinidad and send us relief.--But alas! it was the last
time I ever saw them!--Our suffering this day was most acute.

Tuesday, 5th.--About ten o'clock, A.M. discovered a boat drifting by on
the southeastern side of the island about a mile distant. I deemed it a
providential thing to us, and urged Thomas and George trying the raft
for her. They reluctantly consented and set off, but it was nearly three
P.M. when they came up with her--it was the same boat we had built!
Where then was my friend Bracket and those who went with him? Every
appearance was unfavorable.--I hoped that a good Providence had yet
preserved him.--The two men who went for the boat, found it full of
water, without oars, paddle, or sail; being in this condition, and about
three miles to the leeward, the men found it impossible to tow her up,
so left her, and were until eleven o'clock at night getting back with
the raft. They were so exhausted, that had it not been nearly calm, they
could never have returned.

Wednesday, 6th.--This morning was indeed the most gloomy I had ever
experienced.--There appeared hardly a ray of hope that my friend Bracket
could return, seeing the boat was lost. Our provisions nearly gone; our
mouths parched extremely with thirst; our strength wasted; our spirits
broken, and our hopes imprisoned within the circumference of this
desolate island in the midst of an unfrequented ocean; all these things
gave to the scene around us the hue of death. In the midst of this
dreadful despondence, a sail hove in sight bearing the white flag! Our
hopes were raised, of course--but no sooner raised than darkened, by
hearing a gun fired. Here then was another gang of pirates. She soon,
however, came near enough to anchor, and her boat pushed off towards us
with three men in her.--Thinking it now no worse to die by sword than
famine, I walked down immediately to meet them. I knew them not.--A
moment before the boat touched the ground, a man leaped from her bows
and caught me in his arms! _It was Nickola_!--saying, "Do you now
believe Nickola is your friend? yes, said he, _Jamieson_ will yet prove
himself so."--No words can express my emotions at this moment. This was
a friend indeed. The reason of my not recognizing them before, was that
they had cut their beards and whiskers. Turning to my fellow-sufferers,
Nickola asked--"Are these all that are left of you? where are the
others?"--At this moment seeing David's grave--"are they dead then? Ah!
I suspected it, I know what you were put here for." As soon as I could
recover myself, I gave him an account of Mr. Bracket and the
others.--"How unfortunate," he said, "they must be lost, or some pirates
have taken them."--"But," he continued, "we have no time to lose; you
had better embark immediately with us, and go where you please, we are
at your service." The other two in the boat were Frenchmen, one named
Lyon, the other Parrikete. They affectionately embraced each of us; then
holding to my mouth the nose of a teakettle, filled with wine, said
"Drink plenty, no hurt you." I drank as much as I judged prudent. They
then gave it to my fellow sufferers--I experienced almost immediate
relief, not feeling it in my head; they had also brought in the boat for
us, a dish of salt beef and potatoes, of which we took a little. Then
sent the boat on board for the other two men, being five in all; who
came ashore, and rejoiced enough was I to see among them Thomas Young,
one of my crew, who was detained on board the Mexican, but had escaped
through Nickola's means; the other a Frenchman, named John Cadedt. I now
thought again and again, with troubled emotion, of my dear friend
Bracket's fate. I took the last piece of paper I had, and wrote with
pencil a few words, informing him (should he come there) that "I and the
rest were safe; that I was not mistaken in the friend in whom I had
placed so much confidence, that he had accomplished my highest
expectations; and that I should go immediately to Trinidad, and
requested him to go there also, and apply to Mr. Isaac W. Lord, my
consignee, for assistance." I put the paper into a junk bottle,
previously found on the beach, put in a stopper, and left it, together
with what little flour remained, a keg of water brought from Nickola's
vessel, and a few other things which I thought might be of service to
him. We then repaired with our friends on board, where we were kindly
treated. She was a sloop from Jamaica, of about twelve tons, with a
cargo of rum and wine, bound to Trinidad. I asked "which way they
intended to go?" They said "to Jamaica if agreeable to me." As I
preferred Trinidad, I told them, "if they would give me the Exertion's
boat which was along-side (beside their own) some water and provisions,
we would take chance in her."--"For perhaps," said I, "you will fare
better at Jamaica, than at Trinidad." After a few minutes consultation,
they said "you are too much exhausted to row the distance of one hundred
miles, therefore we will go and carry you--we consider ourselves at your
service." I expressed a wish to take a look at the Exertion, possibly we
might hear something of Mr. Bracket. Nickola said "very well," so got
under way, and run for her, having a light westerly wind. He then
related to me the manner of their desertion from the pirates; as nearly
as I can recollect his own words, he said, "A few days since, the
pirates took four small vessels, I believe Spaniards; they having but
two officers for the two first, the third fell to me as prize master,
and having an understanding with the three Frenchmen and Thomas,
selected them for my crew, and went on board with orders to follow the
Mexican; which I obeyed. The fourth, the pirates took out all but one
man and bade him also follow their vessel. Now our schooner leaked so
bad, that we left her and in her stead agreed to take this little sloop
(which we are now in) together with the one man. The night being very
dark we all agreed to desert the pirates--altered our course and touched
at St. Maria, where we landed the one man--saw no boats there, could
hear nothing from you, and agreed one and all at the risk of our lives
to come and liberate you if you were alive; knowing, as we did, that you
were put on this Key to perish. On our way we boarded the Exertion,
thinking possibly you might have been there. On board her we found a
sail and paddle. We took one of the pirate's boats which they had left
along-side of her, which proves how we came by two boats. My friend, the
circumstance I am now about to relate, will somewhat astonish you. When
the pirate's boat with Bolidar was sent to the before mentioned Key, on
the 19th of January, it was their intention to leave you prisoners
there, where was nothing but salt water and mangroves, and no
possibility of escape. This was the plan of Baltizar, their abandoned
pilot; but Bolidar's heart failed him, and he objected to it; then,
after a conference, Captain Jonnia ordered you to be put on the little
island from whence we have now taken you. But after this was done, that
night the French and Portuguese part of the Mexican's crew protested
against it; so that Captain Jonnia to satisfy them, sent his large boat
to take you and your fellow prisoners back again, taking care to select
his confidential Spaniards for this errand. And you will believe me they
set off from the Mexican, and after spending about as much time as would
really have taken them to come to you, they returned, and reported they
had been to your island, and landed, and that none of you were there,
somebody having taken you off! This, all my companions here know to be
true.--I knew it was impossible you could have been liberated, and
therefore we determined among ourselves, that should an opportunity
occur we would come and save your lives, as we now have." He then
expressed, as he hitherto had done (and I believe with sincerity), his
disgust with the bad company which he had been in, and looked forward
with anxiety to the day when he might return to his native country. I
advised him to get on board an American vessel, whenever an opportunity
offered, and come to the United States; and on his arrival direct a
letter to me; repeating my earnest desire to make some return for the
disinterested friendship which he had shown toward me. With the
Frenchman I had but little conversation, being unacquainted with the
language.

Here ended Nickola's account. "And now" said the Frenchman, "our hearts
be easy." Nickola observed he had left all and found us. I gave them my
warmest tribute of gratitude, saying I looked upon them under God as the
preservers of our lives, and promised them all the assistance which my
situation might enable me to afford.--This brings me to,

Thursday evening, 7th, when, at eleven o'clock, we anchored at the
creek's mouth, near the Exertion. I was anxious to board her;
accordingly took with me Nickola, Thomas, George and two others, well
armed, each with a musket and cutlass. I jumped on her deck, saw a fire
in the camboose, but no person there: I called aloud Mr. Bracket's name
several times, saying "it is Captain Lincoln, don't be afraid, but show
yourself," but no answer was given. She had no masts, spars, rigging,
furniture, provisions or any think left, except her bowsprit, and a few
barrels of salt provisions of her cargo. Her ceiling had holes cut in
it, no doubt in their foolish search for money. I left her with peculiar
emotions, such as I hope never again to experience; and returned to the
little sloop where we remained till--

Friday, 8th--When I had disposition to visit the island on which we
were first imprisoned.----Found nothing there--saw a boat among the
mangroves, near the Exertion. Returned, and got under way immediately
for Trinidad. In the night while under full sail, run aground on a
sunken Key, having rocks above the water, resembling old stumps of
trees; we, however, soon got off and anchored. Most of those Keys have
similar rocks about them, which navigators must carefully guard against.

Monday, 11th--Got under way--saw a brig at anchor about five miles below
the mouth of the harbor; we hoped to avoid her speaking us; but when we
opened in sight of her, discovered a boat making towards us, with a
number of armed men in her. This alarmed my friends, and as we did not
see the brig's ensign hoisted, they declared the boat was a pirate, and
looking through the spy-glass, they knew some of them to be the
Mexican's men! This state of things was quite alarming. They said, "we
will not be taken alive by them." Immediately the boat fired a musket;
the ball passed through our mainsail. My friends insisted on beating
them off: I endeavored to dissuade them, believing, as I did, that the
brig was a Spanish man-of-war, who had sent her boat to ascertain who we
were. I thought we had better heave to. Immediately another shot came.
Then they insisted on fighting, and said "if I would not help them, I
was no friend." I reluctantly acquiesced, and handed up the
guns--commenced firing upon them and they upon us. We received several
shot through the sails, but no one was hurt on either side. Our boats
had been cast adrift to make us go the faster, and we gained upon
them--continued firing until they turned from us, and went for our
boats, which they took in tow for the brig. Soon after this, it became
calm: then I saw that the brig had us in her power.--She manned and
armed two more boats for us. We now concluded, since we had scarcely any
ammunition, to surrender; and were towed down along-side the brig on
board, and were asked by the captain, who could speak English, "what for
you fire on the boat?" I told him "we thought her a pirate, and did not
like to be taken by them again, having already suffered too much;"
showing my papers. He said, "Captain Americana, never mind, go and take
some dinner--which are your men?" I pointed them out to him, and he
ordered them the liberty of the decks; but my friend Nickola and his
three associates were immediately put in irons. They were, however,
afterwards taken out of irons and examined; and I understood the
Frenchmen agreed to enlist, as they judged it the surest way to better
their condition. Whether Nickola enlisted, I do not know, but think that
he did, as I understood that offer was made to him: I however endeavored
to explain more distinctly to the captain, the benevolent efforts of
these four men by whom my life had been saved, and used every argument
in my power to procure their discharge. I also applied to the governor,
and exerted myself with peculiar interest, dictated as I trust with
heartfelt gratitude--and I ardently hope ere this, that Nickola is on
his way to this country, where I may have an opportunity of convincing
him that such an act of benevolence will not go unrewarded. Previous to
my leaving Trinidad, I made all the arrangements in my power with my
influential friends, and doubt not, that their laudable efforts will be
accomplished.--The sloop's cargo was then taken on board the brig; after
which the captain requested a certificate that I was politely treated by
him, saying that his name was Captain Candama, of the privateer brig
Prudentee of eighteen guns. This request I complied with. His first
lieutenant told me he had sailed out of Boston, as commander for T.C.
Amory, Esq. during the last war. In the course of the evening my friends
were taken out of irons and examined separately, then put back again.
The captain invited me to supper in his cabin, and a berth for the
night, which was truly acceptable. The next morning after breakfast, I
with my people were set on shore with the few things we had, with the
promise of the Exertion's small boat in a day or two,--but it was never
sent me--the reason, let the reader imagine. On landing at the wharf
Casildar, we were immediately taken by soldiers to the guard house,
which was a very filthy place; thinking I suppose, and even calling us,
pirates. Soon some friends came to see me. Mr. Cotton, who resides there
brought us in some soup. Mr. Isaac W. Lord, of Boston, my merchant, came
with Captain Tate, who sent immediately to the governor; for I would not
show my papers to any one else. He came about sunset, and after
examining Manuel my Spanish fellow prisoner, and my papers, said to be,
giving me the papers, "Captain, you are at liberty." I was kindly
invited by Captain Matthew Rice, of schooner Galaxy, of Boston, to go on
board his vessel, and live with him during my stay there. This generous
offer I accepted, and was treated by him with the greatest hospitality;
for I was hungered and he gave me meat, I was athirst and he gave me
drink, I was naked and he clothed me, a stranger and he took me in. He
likewise took Manuel and my three men for that night. Next day Mr. Lord
rendered me all necessary assistance in making my protest. He had heard
nothing from me until my arrival. I was greatly disappointed in not
finding Mr. Bracket, and requested Mr. Lord to give him all needful aid
if he should come there. To Captain Carnes, of the schooner Hannah, of
Boston, I would tender my sincere thanks, for his kindness in giving me
a passage to Boston, which I gladly accepted. To those gentlemen of
Trinidad, and many captains of American vessels, who gave me sea
clothing, &c., I offer my cordial gratitude.

I am fully of the opinion that these ferocious pirates are linked in
with many inhabitants of Cuba; and the government in many respects
appears covertly to encourage them.

It is with heartfelt delight, that, since the above narrative was
written, I have learned that Mr. Bracket and his companions are safe; he
arrived at Port d'Esprit, about forty leagues east of Trinidad. A letter
has been received from him, stating that he should proceed to Trinidad
the first opportunity.--It appears that after reaching the wreck, they
found a boat from the shore, taking on board some of the Exertion's
cargo, in which they proceeded to the above place. Why it was not in his
power to come to our relief will no doubt be satisfactorily disclosed
when he may be so fortunate as once more to return to his native country
and friends.

I felt great anxiety to learn what became of Jamieson, who, my readers
will recollect, was detained on board the Spanish brig Prudentee near
Trinidad. I heard nothing from him, until I believe eighteen months
after I reached home, when I received a letter from him, from Montego
Bay, Jamaica, informing me that he was then residing in that island. I
immediately wrote to him, and invited him to come on to the United
States. He accordingly came on passenger with Captain Wilson of
Cohasset, and arrived in Boston, in August, 1824. Our meeting was very
affecting. Trying scenes were brought up before us; scenes gone forever,
through which we had passed together, where our acquaintance was formed,
and since which time, we had never met. I beheld once more the preserver
of my life; the instrument, under Providence, of restoring me to my
home, my family, and my friends, and I regarded him with no ordinary
emotion. My family were delighted to see him, and cordially united in
giving him a warm reception. He told me that after we separated in
Trinidad, he remained on board the Spanish brig. The commander asked him
and his companions if they would enlist; the Frenchmen replied that they
would, but he said nothing, being determined to make his escape, the
very first opportunity which should present. The Spanish brig afterwards
fell in with a Columbian Patriot, an armed brig of eighteen guns. Being
of about equal force, they gave battle, and fought between three and
four hours. Both parties were very much injured; and, without any
considerable advantage on either side, both drew off to make repairs.
The Spanish brig Prudentee, put into St. Jago de Cuba. Jamieson was
wounded in the action, by a musket ball, through his arm, and was taken
on shore, with the other wounded, and placed in the hospital of St.
Jago. Here he remained for a considerable time, until he had nearly
recovered, when he found an opportunity of escaping, and embarking for
Jamaica. He arrived in safety at Kingston, and from there, travelled
barefoot over the mountains, until very much exhausted, he reached
Montego Bay, where he had friends, and where one of his brothers
possessed some property. From this place, he afterwards wrote to me. He
told me that before he came to Massachusetts, he saw the villainous
pilot of the Mexican, the infamous Baltizar, with several other pirates,
brought into Montego Bay, from whence they were to be conveyed to
Kingston to be executed. Whether the others were part of the Mexican's
crew, or not, I do not know. Baltizar was an old man, and as Jamieson
said, it was a melancholy and heart-rending sight, to see him borne to
execution with those gray hairs, which might have been venerable in
virtuous old age, now a shame and reproach to this hoary villain, for he
was full of years, and old in iniquity. When Jamieson received the
letter which I wrote him, he immediately embarked with Captain Wilson,
and came to Boston, as I have before observed.

According to his own account he was of a very respectable family in
Greenock, Scotland. His father when living was a rich cloth merchant,
but both his father and mother had been dead many years. He was the
youngest of thirteen children, and being, as he said, of a roving
disposition, had always followed the seas. He had received a polite
education, and was of a very gentlemanly deportment. He spoke several
living languages, and was skilled in drawing and painting. He had
travelled extensively in different countries, and acquired in
consequence an excellent knowledge of their manners and customs. His
varied information (for hardly any subject escaped him) rendered him a
very entertaining companion. His observations on the character of
different nations were very liberal; marking their various traits, their
virtues and vices, with playful humorousness, quite free from bigotry,
or narrow prejudice.

I was in trade, between Boston and Philadelphia, at the time he came to
Massachusetts, and he sailed with me several trips as my mate. He
afterwards went to Cuba, and was subsequently engaged in the mackerel
fishery, out of the port of Hingham, during the warm season, and in the
winter frequently employed himself in teaching navigation to young men,
for which he was eminently qualified. He remained with us, until his
death, which took place in 1829. At this time he had been out at sea two
or three days, when he was taken sick, and was carried into Cape Cod,
where he died, on the first day of May, 1829, and there his remains lie
buried. Peace be to his ashes! They rest in a strange land, far from his
kindred and his native country.

Since his death I have met with Mr. Stewart, of Philadelphia, who was
Commercial Agent in Trinidad at the time of my capture. He informed me
that the piratical schooner Mexican, was afterwards chased by an English
government vessel, from Jamaica, which was cruising in search of it.
Being hotly pursued, the pirates deserted their vessel, and fled to the
mangrove bushes, on an island similar to that on which they had placed
me and my crew to die. The English surrounded them, and thus they were
cut off from all hopes of escape. They remained there, I think fourteen
days, when being almost entirely subdued by famine, eleven surrendered
themselves, and were taken. The others probably perished among the
mangroves. The few who were taken were carried by the government vessel
into Trinidad. Mr. Stewart said that he saw them himself, and such
miserable objects, that had life, he never before beheld. They were in a
state of starvation; their beards had grown to a frightful length, their
bodies, were covered with filth and vermin, and their countenances were
hideous. From Trinidad they were taken to Kingston, Jamaica, and there
hung on Friday, the 7th of February, 1823.

About a quarter of an hour before day dawn, the wretched culprits were
taken from the jail, under a guard of soldiers from the 50th regiment,
and the City Guard. On their arrival at the wherry wharf, the military
retired, and the prisoners, with the Town Guard were put on board two
wherries, in which they proceeded to Port Royal Point, the usual place
of execution in similar cases. They were there met by a strong party of
military, consisting of 50 men, under command of an officer. They formed
themselves into a square round the place of execution, with the sheriff
and his officers with the prisoners in the centre. The gallows was of
considerable length, and contrived with a drop so as to prevent the
unpleasant circumstances which frequently occur.

The unfortunate men had been in continual prayer from the time they were
awakened out of a deep sleep till they arrived at that place, where they
were to close their existence.

They all expressed their gratitude for the attention they had met with
from the sheriff and the inferior officers. Many pressed the hands of
the turnkey to their lips, others to their hearts and on their knees,
prayed that God, Jesus Christ, and the Virgin Mary would bless him and
the other jailors for their goodness. They all then fervently joined
in prayer. To the astonishment of all, no clerical character, of any
persuasion, was present. They repeatedly called out "Adonde esta el
padre," (Where is the holy father).

[Illustration: _The execution of ten pirates._]

Juan Hernandez called on all persons present to hear him--he was
innocent; what they had said about his confessing himself guilty was
untrue. He had admitted himself guilty, because he hoped for pardon; but
that now he was to die, he called God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the
Virgin Mary, and the Saints, to witness that he spoke the truth--that he
was no pirate, no murderer--he had been forced. The Lieutenant of the
pirates was a wretch, who did not fear God, and had compelled him to
act.

Juan Gutterez and Francisco de Sayas were loud in their protestations of
innocence.

Manuel Lima said, for himself, he did not care; he felt for the old man
(Miguel Jose). How could he be a pirate who could not help himself? If
it were a Christian country, they would have pardoned him for his gray
hairs. He was innocent--they had both been forced. Let none of his
friends or relations ever venture to sea--he hoped his death would be a
warning to them, that the innocent might suffer for the guilty. The
language of this young man marked him a superior to the generality of
his companions in misfortune. The seamen of the Whim stated that he was
very kind to them when prisoners on board the piratical vessel. Just
before he was turned off, he addressed the old man--"Adios viejo, para
siempre adios."--(Farewell, old man, forever farewell.)

Several of the prisoners cried out for mercy, pardon, pardon.

Domingo Eucalla, the black man, then addressed them. "Do not look for
mercy here, but pray to God; we are all brought here to die. This is not
built for nothing; here we must end our lives. You know I am innocent,
but I must die the same as you all. There is not any body here who can
do us any good, so let us think only of God Almighty. We are not
children but men, you know that all must die; and in a few years those
who kill us must die too. When I was born, God set the way of my death;
I do not blame any body. I was taken by the pirates and they made me
help them; they would not let me be idle. I could not show that this was
the truth, and therefore they have judged me by the people they have
found me with. I am put to death unjustly, but I blame nobody. It was my
misfortune. Come, let us pray. If we are innocent, so much the less we
have to repent. I do not come here to accuse any one. Death must come
one day or other; better to the innocent than guilty." He then joined in
prayer with the others. He seemed to be much reverenced by his fellow
prisoners. He chose those prayers he thought most adapted to the
occasion. Hundreds were witnesses to the manly firmness of this negro.
Observing a bystander listening attentively to the complaints of one of
his fellow wretches, he translated what had been said into English. With
a steady pace, and a resolute and resigned countenance, he ascended the
fatal scaffold. Observing the executioner unable to untie a knot on the
collar of one of the prisoners, he with his teeth untied it. He then
prayed most fervently till the drop fell.

Miguel Jose protested his innocence.--"No he robado, no he matado
ningune, muero innocente."--(I have robbed no one, I have killed no one,
I die innocent. I am an old man, but my family will feel my disgraceful
death.)

Francisco Migul prayed devoutly, but inaudibly.--His soul seemed to have
quitted the body before he was executed.

Breti Gullimillit called on all to witness his innocence; it was of no
use for him to say an untruth, for he was going before the face of God.

Augustus Hernandez repeatedly declared his innocence, requested that no
one would say he had made a confession; he had none to make.

Juan Hernandez was rather obstinate when the execution pulled the cap
over his eyes. He said, rather passionately--"Quita is de mis
ojos."--(Remove it from my eyes.) He then rubbed it up against one of
the posts of the gallows.

Miguel Jose made the same complaint, and drew the covering from his eyes
by rubbing his head against a fellow sufferer.

Pedro Nondre was loud in his ejaculations for mercy. He wept bitterly.
He was covered with marks of deep wounds.

The whole of the ten included in the death warrant, having been placed
on the scaffold, and the ropes suspended, the drop was let down. Nondre
being an immense heavy man, broke the rope, and fell to the ground
alive. Juan Hernandez struggled long. Lima was much convulsed. The old
man Gullimillit, and Migul, were apparently dead before the drop fell.
Eucalla (the black man) gave one convulsion, and all was over.

When Nondre recovered from the fall and saw his nine lifeless companions
stretched in death, he gave an agonizing shriek; he wrung his hands,
screamed "Favor, favor, me matan sin causa. O! buenos Christianos, me
amparen, ampara me, ampara me, no hay Christiano en asta, tiara?"

(Mercy, mercy, they kill me without cause.--Oh, good Christians, protect
me. Oh, protect me. Is there no Christian in this land?)

He then lifted his eyes to Heaven, and prayed long and loud. Upon being
again suspended, he was for a long period convulsed. He was an immense
powerful man, and died hard.

A piratical station was taken in the Island of Cuba by the U.S.
schooners of war, Greyhound and Beagle. They left Thompson's Island
June 7, 1823, under the command of Lieuts. Kearney and Newton, and
cruised within the Key's on the south side of Cuba, as far as Cape Cruz,
touching at all the intermediate ports on the island, to intercept
pirates. On the 21st of July, they came to anchor off Cape Cruz, and
Lieut. Kearney went in his boat to reconnoitre the shore, when he was
fired on by a party of pirates who were concealed among the bushes. A
fire was also opened from several pieces of cannon erected on a hill a
short distance off. The boat returned, and five or six others were
manned from the vessels, and pushed off for the shore, but a very heavy
cannonade being kept up by the pirates on the heights, as well as from
the boats, were compelled to retreat. The two schooners were then warped
in, when they discharged several broadsides, and covered the landing of
the boats. After a short time the pirates retreated to a hill that was
well fortified. A small hamlet, in which the pirates resided, was set
fire to and destroyed. Three guns, one a four pounder, and two large
swivels, with several pistols, cutlasses, and eight large boats, were
captured. A cave, about 150 feet deep, was discovered, near where the
houses were, and after considerable difficulty, a party of seamen got to
the bottom, where was found an immense quantity of plunder, consisting
of broadcloths, dry goods, female dresses, saddlery, &c. Many human
bones were also in the cave, supposed to have been unfortunate persons
who were taken and put to death. A great many of the articles were
brought away, and the rest destroyed. About forty pirates escaped to the
heights, but many were supposed to have been killed from the fire of the
schooners, as well as from the men who landed. The bushes were so thick
that it was impossible to go after them. Several other caves are in the
neighborhood, in which it was conjectured they occasionally take
shelter.

In 1823, Commodore Porter commanded the United States squadron in these
seas; much good was done in preventing new acts of piracy; but these
wretches kept aloof and did not venture to sea as formerly, but some
were taken.

Almost every day furnished accounts evincing the activity of Commodore
Porter, and the officers and men under his command; but for a long time
their industry and zeal was rather shown in the _suppression_ of piracy
than the _punishment_ of it. At length, however, an opportunity offered
for inflicting the latter, as detailed in the following letter, dated
Matanzas, July 10, 1823.

"I have the pleasure of informing you of a brilliant achievement
obtained against the pirates on the 5th inst. by two barges attached to
Commodore Porter's squadron, the Gallinipper, Lieut. Watson, 18 men, and
the Moscheto, Lieut. Inman, 10 men. The barges were returning from a
cruise to windward; when they were near Jiguapa Bay, 13 leagues to
windward of Matanzas, they entered it--it being a rendezvous for
pirates. They immediately discovered a large schooner under way, which
they supposed to be a Patriot privateer; and as their stores were nearly
exhausted, they hoped to obtain some supplies from her. They therefore
made sail in pursuit. When they were within cannon shot distance, she
rounded to and fired her long gun, at the same time run up the bloody
flag, directing her course towards the shore, and continuing to fire
without effect. When she had got within a short distance of the shore,
she came to, with springs on her cable, continuing to fire; and when the
barges were within 30 yards, they fired their muskets without touching
boat or man; our men gave three cheers, and prepared to board; the
pirates, discovering their intention, jumped into the water, when the
bargemen, calling on the name of 'Allen,' commenced a destructive
slaughter, killing them in the water and as they landed. So exasperated
were our men, that it was impossible for their officers to restrain
them, and many were killed after orders were given to grant quarter.
Twenty-seven dead were counted, some sunk, five taken prisoners by the
bargemen, and eight taken by a party of Spaniards on shore. The officers
calculated that from 30 to 35 were killed. The schooner mounted a long
nine pounder on a pivot, and 4 four pounders, with every other necessary
armament, and a crew of 50 to 60 men, and ought to have blown the barges
to atoms. She was commanded by the notorious Diableto or Little Devil.
This statement I have from Lieut. Watson himself, and it is certainly
the most decisive operation that has been effected against those
murderers, either by the English or American force."

[Illustration: _The Pirates fire into Lieut. Kearney's boat, while
reconnoitering the shore._]

"This affair occurred on the same spot where the brave Allen fell about
one year since. The prize was sent to Thompson's Island."

A British sloop of war, about the same time, captured a pirate schooner
off St. Domingo, with a crew of 60 men. She had 200,000 dollars in
specie, and other valuable articles on board. The brig Vestal sent
another pirate schooner to New-Providence.




THE ADVENTURES AND EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN JOHN RACKAM.


This John Rackam, as has been reported in the foregoing pages, was
quarter-master to Vane's company, till the crew were divided, and Vane
turned out of it for refusing to board a French man-of-war, Rackam being
voted captain of the division that remained in the brigantine. The 24th
of November 1718, was the first day of his command; his first cruise was
among the Carribbee Islands, where he took and plundered several
vessels.

We have already taken notice, that when Captain Woods Rogers went to the
island of Providence with the king's pardon to such of the pirates as
should surrender, this brigantine, which Rackam commanded, made its
escape through another passage, bidding defiance to the mercy that was
offered.

To the windward of Jamaica, a Madeira-man fell into the pirate's way,
which they detained two or three days, till they had their market out of
her, and then they gave her back to the master, and permitted one Hosea
Tidsel, a tavern keeper at Jamaica, who had been picked up in one of
their prizes, to depart in her, she being bound for that island.

After this cruise they went into a small island, and cleaned, and spent
their Christmas ashore, drinking and carousing as long as they had any
liquor left, and then went to sea again for more. They succeeded but too
well, though they took no extraordinary prize for above two months,
except a ship laden with convicts from Newgate, bound for the
plantations, which in a few days was retaken, with all her cargo, by an
English man-of-war that was stationed in those seas.

Rackam stood towards the island of Bermuda, and took a ship bound to
England from Carolina, and a small pink from New England, both of which
he brought to the Bahama Islands, where, with the pitch, tar and stores
they cleaned again, and refitted their own vessel; but staying too long
in that neighborhood, Captain Rogers, who was Governor of Providence,
hearing of these ships being taken, sent out a sloop well manned and
armed, which retook both the prizes, though in the mean while the pirate
had the good fortune to escape.

From hence they sailed to the back of Cuba, where Rackam kept a little
kind of a family, at which place they stayed a considerable time, living
ashore with their Delilahs, till their money and provisions were
expended, and they concluded it time to look out for more. They repaired
their vessel, and were making ready to put to sea, when a guarda de
costa came in with a small English sloop, which she had taken as an
interloper on the coast. The Spanish guard-ship attacked the pirate, but
Rackam being close in behind a little island, she could do but little
execution where she lay; the Dons therefore warped into the channel that
evening, in order to make sure of her the next morning. Rackam finding
his case desperate, and that there was hardly any possibility of
escaping, resolved to attempt the following enterprise. The Spanish
prize lying for better security close into the land, between the little
island and the Main, our desperado took his crew into the boat with
their cutlasses, rounded the little island, and fell aboard their prize
silently in the dead of the night without being discovered, telling the
Spaniards that were aboard her, that if they spoke a word, or made the
least noise, they were all dead men; and so they became masters of her.
When this was done he slipped her cable, and drove out to sea. The
Spanish man-of-war was so intent upon their expected prize, that they
minded nothing else, and as soon as day broke, they made a furious fire
upon the empty sloop; but it was not long before they were rightly
apprised of the matter, when they cursed themselves sufficiently for a
company of fools, to be bit out of a good rich prize, as she proved to
be, and to have nothing but an old crazy hull in the room of her.

Rackam and his crew had no occasion to be displeased at the exchange, as
it enabled them to continue some time longer in a way of life that
suited their depraved minds. In August 1720, we find him at sea again,
scouring the harbours and inlets of the north and west parts of Jamaica,
where he took several small crafts, which proved no great booty to the
rovers; but they had but few men, and therefore were obliged to run at
low game till they could increase their company and their strength.

In the beginning of September, they took seven or eight fishing boats in
Harbour Island, stole their nets and other tackle, and then went off to
the French part of Hispaniola, where they landed, and took the cattle
away, with two or three Frenchmen whom they found near the water-side,
hunting wild hogs in the evening. The Frenchmen came on board, whether
by consent or compulsion is not certainly known. They afterwards
plundered two sloops, and returned to Jamaica, on the north coast of
which island, near Porto Maria Bay, they took a schooner, Thomas
Spenlow, master, it being then the 19th of October. The next day Rackam
seeing a sloop in Dry Harbour Bay, stood in and fired a gun; the men all
ran ashore, and he took the sloop and lading; but when those ashore
found that they were pirates, they hailed the sloop, and let them know
they were all willing to come on board of them.

Rackam's coasting the island in this manner proved fatal to him; for
intelligence of his expedition came to the governor by a canoe which he
had surprised ashore in Ocho Bay: upon this a sloop was immediately
fitted out, and sent round the island in quest of him, commanded by
Captain Barnet, and manned with a good number of hands. Rackam, rounding
the island, and drawing round the western point, called Point Negril,
saw a small pettiaga, which, at the sight of the sloop, ran ashore and
landed her men, when one of them hailed her. Answer was made that they
were Englishmen, and begged the pettiaga's men to come on board and
drink a bowl of punch, which they prevailed upon them to do.
Accordingly, the company, in an evil hour, came all aboard of the
pirate, consisting of nine persons; they were armed with muskets and
cutlasses, but what was their real design in so doing we will not
pretend to say. They had no sooner laid down their arms and taken up
their pipes, than Barnet's sloop, which was in pursuit of Rackam's, came
in sight.

The pirates, finding she stood directly towards them, feared the event,
and weighed their anchor, which they had but lately let go, and stood
off. Captain Barnet gave them chase, and, having advantage of little
breezes of wind which blew off the land, came up with her, and brought
her into Port Royal, in Jamaica.

About a fortnight after the prisoners were brought ashore, viz. November
16, 1720, Captain Rackam and eight of his men were condemned and
executed. Captain Rackam and two others were hung in chains.

But what was very surprising, was the conviction of the nine men that
came aboard the sloop on the same day she was taken. They were tried at
an adjournment of the court on the 24th of January, the magistracy
waiting all that time, it is supposed, for evidence to prove the
piratical intention of going aboard the said sloop; for it seems there
was no act or piracy committed by them, as appeared by the witnesses
against them, two Frenchmen, taken by Rackam off the island of
Hispaniola, who merely deposed that the prisoners came on board without
any compulsion.

The court considered the prisoners' cases, and the majority of the
commissioners being of opinion that they were all guilty of the piracy
and felony they were charged with, viz. the going over with a piratical
intent to John Rackam, &c. then notorious pirates, and by them known to
be so, they all received sentence of death, and were executed on the
17th of February at Gallows Point at Port Royal.

  Nor holy bell, nor pastoral bleat,
  In former days within the vale.
  Flapped in the bay the pirate's sheet,
  Curses were on the gale;
  Rich goods lay on the sand, and murdered men,
  Pirate and wreckers kept their revels there.

  THE BUCCANEER.




THE LIFE AND EXPLOITS OF ANNE BONNEY.


This female pirate was a native of Cork. Her father was an attorney,
and, by his activity in business, rose to considerable respectability in
that place. Anne was the fruit of an unlawful connexion with his own
servant maid, with whom he afterwards eloped to America, leaving his own
affectionate and lawful wife. He settled at Carolina, and for some time
followed his own profession; but soon commenced merchant, and was so
successful as to purchase a considerable plantation. There he lived with
his servant in the character of his wife; but she dying, his daughter
Anne superintended the domestic affairs of her father.

During her residence with her parent she was supposed to have a
considerable fortune, and was accordingly addressed by young men of
respectable situations in life. It happened with Anne, however, as with
many others of her youth and sex, that her feelings, and not her
interest, determined her choice of a husband. She married a young sailor
without a shilling. The avaricious father was so enraged, that, deaf to
the feelings of a parent, he turned his own child out of doors. Upon
this cruel usage, and the disappointment of her fortune, Anne and her
husband sailed for the island of Providence, in the hope of gaining
employment.

Acting a part very different from that of Mary Read, Anne's affections
were soon estranged from her husband by Captain Rackam; and eloping with
him, she went to sea in men's clothes. Proving with child, the captain
put her on shore, and entrusted her to the care of some friends until
her recovery, when she again accompanied him in his expeditions.

Upon the king's proclamation offering a pardon to all pirates, he
surrendered, and went into the privateering business, as we have related
before: he, however, soon embraced an opportunity to return to his
favorite employment. In all his piratical exploits Anne accompanied him;
and, as we have already recorded, displayed such courage and
intrepidity, that she, along with Mary Read and a seaman, were the last
three who remained on board when the vessel was taken.

Anne was known to many of the planters in Jamaica, who remembered to
have seen her in her father's house, and they were disposed to intercede
in her behalf. Her unprincipled conduct, in leaving her own husband and
forming an illicit connexion with Rackam, tended, however, to render her
friends less active. By a special favor, Rackam was permitted to visit
her the day before he was executed; but, instead of condoling with him
on account of his sad fate, she only observed, that she was sorry to see
him there, but if he had fought like a man he needed not have been
hanged like a dog. Being with child, she remained in prison until her
recovery, was reprieved from time to time, and though we cannot
communicate to our readers any particulars of her future life, or the
manner of her death, yet it is certain that she was not executed.




THE ADVENTURES AND HEROISM OF MARY READ.


The attention of our readers is now to be directed to the history of two
female pirates,--a history which is chiefly remarkable from the
extraordinary circumstance of the softer sex assuming a character
peculiarly distinguished for every vice that can disgrace humanity, and
at the same time for the exertion of the most daring, though brutal,
courage.

Mary Read was a native of England, but at what place she was born is not
recorded. Her mother married a sailor when she was very young, who, soon
after their marriage, went to sea, and never returned. The fruit of that
marriage was a sprightly boy. The husband not returning, she again found
herself with child, and to cover her shame, took leave of her husband's
relations, and went to live in the country, taking her boy along with
her. Her son in a short time died, and she was relieved from the burden
of his maintenance and education. The mother had not resided long in the
country before Mary Read, the subject of the present narrative, was
born.

After the birth of Mary, her mother resided in the country for three or
four years, until her money was all spent, and her ingenuity was set at
work to contrive how to obtain a supply. She knew that her husband's
mother was in good circumstances, and could easily support her child,
provided she could make her pass for a boy, and her son's child. But it
seemed impossible to impose upon an old experienced mother. She,
however, presented Mary in the character of her grandson. The old woman
proposed to take the boy to live with her, but the mother would not on
any account part with her boy; the grandmother, therefore, allowed a
crown per week for his support.

The ingenuity of the mother being successful, she reared the daughter as
a boy. But as she grew up, she informed her of the secret of her birth,
in order that she might conceal her sex. The grandmother, however,
dying, the support from that quarter failed, and she was obliged to hire
her out as a footboy to a French lady. The strength and manly
disposition of this supposed boy increased with her years, and leaving
that servile employment, she engaged on board a man-of-war.

The volatile disposition of the youth did not permit her to remain long
in this station, and she next went into Flanders, and joined a regiment
of foot as a cadet. Though in every action she conducted herself with
the greatest bravery, yet she could not obtain a commission, as they
were in general bought and sold. She accordingly quitted that service,
and enlisted into a regiment of horse; there she behaved herself so
valiantly, that she gained the esteem of all her officers. It, however,
happened, that her comrade was a handsome young Fleming, and she fell
passionately in love with him. The violence of her feelings rendered her
negligent of her duty, and effected such a change in her behaviour as
attracted the attention of all. Both her comrade and the rest of the
regiment deemed her mad. Love, however, is inventive, and as they slept
in the same tent, she found means to discover her sex without any
seeming design. He was both surprised and pleased, supposing that he
would have a mistress to himself; but he was greatly mistaken, and he
found that it was necessary to court her for his wife. A mutual
attachment took place, and, as soon as convenient, women's clothes were
provided for her, and they were publicly married.

The singularity of two troopers marrying caused a general conversation,
and many of the officers honored the ceremony with their presence, and
resolved to make presents to the bride, to provide her with necessaries.
After marriage they were desirous to quit the service, and their
discharge being easily obtained, they set up an ordinary under the sign
of the "Three Shoes," and soon acquired a considerable run of business.

But Mary Read's felicity was of short duration; the husband died, and
peace being concluded, her business diminished. Under these
circumstances she again resumed her man's dress, and going into Holland,
enlisted into a regiment of foot quartered in one of the frontier towns.
But there being no prospect of preferment in time of peace, she went on
board a vessel bound for the West Indies.

During the voyage, the vessel was captured by English pirates, and as
Mary was the only English person on board, they detained her, and having
plundered the vessel of what they chose, allowed it to depart. Mary
continued in that unlawful commerce for some time, but the royal pardon
being tendered to all those in the West Indies, who should, before a
specified day, surrender, the crew to which she was attached, availed
themselves of this, and lived quietly on shore with the fruits of their
adventures. But from the want of their usual supplies, their money
became exhausted; and being informed that Captain Rogers, in the island
of Providence, was fitting out some vessels for privateering, Mary, with
some others, repaired to that island to serve on board his privateers.
We have already heard, that scarcely had the ships sailed, when some of
their crews mutinied, and ran off with the ships, to pursue their former
mode of life. Among these was Mary Read. She indeed, frequently
declared, that the life of a pirate was what she detested, and that she
was constrained to it both on the former and present occasion. It was,
however, sufficiently ascertained, that both Mary Read and Anne Bonney
were among the bravest and most resolute fighters of the whole crew;
that when the vessel was taken, these two heroines, along with another
of the pirates, were the last three upon deck; and that Mary, having in
vain endeavored to rouse the courage of the crew, who had fled below,
discharged a pistol amongst them, killing one and wounding another.

Nor was Mary less modest than brave; for though she had remained many
years in the character of a sailor, yet no one had discovered her sex,
until she was under the necessity of doing so to Anne Bonney. The reason
of this was, that Anne, supposing her to be a handsome fellow, became
greatly enamored of her, and discovered her sex and wishes to Mary, who
was thus constrained to reveal her secret to Anne. Rackam being the
paramour of Bonney, and observing her partiality towards Mary,
threatened to shoot her lover; so that to prevent any mischief, Anne
also informed the captain of the sex of her companion.

Rackam was enjoined to secrecy, and here he behaved honorably; but love
again assailed the conquered Mary. It was usual with the pirates to
retain all the artists who were captured in the trading-vessels; among
these was a very handsome young man, of engaging manners, who vanquished
the heart of Mary. In a short time her love became so violent, that she
took every opportunity of enjoying his company and conversation; and,
after she had gained his friendship, discovered her sex. Esteem and
friendship were speedily converted into the most ardent affection, and a
mutual flame burned in the hearts of these two lovers. An occurrence
soon happened that put the attachment of Mary to a severe trial. Her
lover having quarrelled with one of the crew, they agreed to fight a
duel on shore. Mary was all anxiety for the fate of her lover, and she
manifested a greater concern for the preservation of his life than that
of her own; but she could not entertain the idea that he could refuse to
fight, and so be esteemed a coward. Accordingly she quarrelled with the
man who challenged her lover, and called him to the field two hours
before his appointment with her lover, engaged him with sword and
pistol, and laid him dead at her feet.

Though no esteem or love had formerly existed, this action was
sufficient to have kindled the most violent flame. But this was not
necessary, for the lover's attachment was equal, if not stronger than
her own; they pledged their faith, which was esteemed as binding as if
the ceremony had been performed by a clergyman.

Captain Rackam one day, before he knew that she was a woman, asked her
why she followed a line of life that exposed her to so much danger, and
at last to the certainty of being hanged. She replied, that, "As to
hanging, she thought it no great hardship, for were it not for that,
every cowardly fellow would turn pirate, and so infest the seas; and men
of courage would starve. That if it was put to her choice, she would not
have the punishment less than death, the fear of which kept some
dastardly rogues honest; that many of those who are now cheating the
widows and orphans, and oppressing their poor neighbors who have no
money to obtain justice, would then rob at sea, and the ocean would be
as crowded with rogues as the land: so that no merchants would venture
out, and the trade in a little time would not be worth following."

Being with child at the time of her trial, her execution was delayed;
and it is probable that she would have found favor, but in the mean time
she fell sick and died.

Mary Read was of a strong and robust constitution, capable of enduring
much exertion and fatigue. She was vain and bold in her disposition, but
susceptible of the tenderest emotions, and of the most melting
affections. Her conduct was generally directed by virtuous principles,
while at the same time, she was violent in her attachments. Though she
was inadvertently drawn into that dishonorable mode of life which has
stained her character, and given her a place among the criminals noticed
in this work, yet she possessed a rectitude of principle and of conduct,
far superior to many who have not been exposed to such temptations to
swerve from the path of female virtue and honor.

[Illustration: _Mary Read kills her antagonist._]




THE ALGERINE PIRATES.


_Containing accounts of the cruelties and atrocities of the Barbary
Corsairs, with narratives of the expeditions sent against them, and the
final capture of Algiers by the French in_ 1830.

That former den of pirates, the city of Algiers is situated on the
shores of a pretty deep bay, by which the northern coast of Africa, is
here indented, and may be said to form an irregular triangular figure,
the base line of which abuts on the sea, while the apex is formed by the
Cassaubah, or citadel, which answered the double purpose of a fort to
defend and awe the city, and a palace for the habitation of the Dey and
his court. The hill on which the city is built, slopes rather rapidly
upwards, so that every house is visible from the sea, in consequence of
which it was always sure to suffer severely from a bombardment. The top
of the hill has an elevation of nearly five hundred feet, and exactly at
this point is built the citadel; the whole town lying between it and the
sea. The houses of Algiers have no roofs, but are all terminated by
terraces, which are constantly whitewashed; and as the exterior walls,
the fort, the batteries and the walls are similarly beautified, the
whole city, from a distance, looks not unlike a vast chalk quarry opened
on the side of a hill.

The fortifications towards the sea are of amasing strength, and with the
additions made since Lord Exmouth's attack, may be considered as almost
impregnable. They occupy the entire of a small island, which lies a
short distance in front of the city, to which it is connected at one
end by a magnificent mole of solid masonry, while the other which
commands the entrance of the port, is crowned with a battery, bristling
with cannon of immense calibre, which would instantly sink any vessel
which should now attempt to occupy the station taken by the Queen
Charlotte on that memorable occasion.

On the land side, the defences are by no means of equal strength, as
they were always considered rather as a shelter against an
insurrectionary movement of the natives, than as intended to repulse the
regular attacks of a disciplined army. In fact defences on this side
would be of little use as the city is completely commanded by different
hills, particularly that on which the Emperor's fort is built, and was
obliged instantly to capitulate, as soon as this latter had fallen into
the hands of the French, in 1830.

There are four gates; one opening on the mole, which is thence called
the marine gate, one near the citadel, which is termed the new gate; and
the other two, at the north and south sides of the city, with the
principal street running between them. All these gates are strongly
fortified, and outside the three land gates run the remains of a ditch,
which once surrounded the city, but is now filled up except at these
points. The streets of Algiers are all crooked, and all narrow. The best
are scarcely twelve feet in breadth, and even half of this is occupied
by the projections of the shops, or the props placed to support the
first stories of the houses, which are generally made to advance beyond
the lower, insomuch that in many places a laden mule can scarcely pass.
Of public buildings, the most remarkable is the Cassaubah, or citadel,
the situation of which we have already mentioned. It is a huge, heavy
looking brick building, of a square shape, surrounded by high and
massive walls, and defended by fifty pieces of cannon, and some mortars,
so placed as equally to awe the city and country. The apartments set
apart for the habitation of the Dey and the ladies of his harem, are
described as extremely magnificent, and abundantly supplied with marble
pillars, fountains, mirrors, carpets, ottomans, cushions, and other
articles of oriental luxury; but there are others no less valuable and
curious, such as the armory, furnished with weapons of every kind, of
the finest manufacture, and in the greatest abundance, the treasury,
containing not only a profusion of the precious metals, coined or in
ingots, but also diamonds, pearls, rubies, and other precious stones of
great value; and lastly, the store rooms of immense extent, in which
were piled up the richest silk stuffs, velvets, brocades, together with
wool, wax, sugar, iron, lead, sabre-blades, gun barrels, and all the
different productions of the Algerine territories; for the Dey was not
only the first robber but the first merchant in his own dominions.

Next to the Cassaubah, the mole with the marine forts, presented the
handsomest and most imposing pile of buildings. The mole is no less than
one thousand three hundred feet in length, forming a beautiful terrace
walk, supported by arches, beneath which lay splendid magazines, which
the French found filled with spars, hemp, cordage, cables, and all
manner of marine stores. At the extremity of the mole, lay the barracks
of the Janissaries, entrusted with the defence of the marine forts, and
consisting of several small separate chambers, in which they each slept
on sheepskin mats, while in the centre was a handsome coffee-room. The
Bagnios were the buildings, in which Europeans for a long time felt the
most interest, inasmuch as it was in these that the Christian slaves
taken by the corsairs were confined. For many years previous to the
French invasion, however, the number of prisoners had been so trifling,
that many of these terrific buildings had fallen to decay, and
presented, when the French army entered Algiers, little more than piles
of mouldering ruins. The inmates of the Bagnio when taken by the French
were the crews of two French brigs, which a short time before had been
wrecked off Cape Bingut, a few French prisoners of war made during
their advance, and about twenty Greek, and Genoese sailors, who had been
there for two years; in all about one hundred and twenty. They
represented their condition as bad, though by no means so deplorable as
it would have been in former days. The prison was at first so close,
that there was some danger of suffocation, to avoid which the Turks had
made holes in the walls; but as they neglected to supply these with
windows or shutters of any kind, there was no means of excluding wind or
rain, from which consequently they often suffered.

[Illustration: _On board an Algerine corsair._]

We shall only trace these pirates back to about the year 1500, when
Selim, king of Algiers, being invaded by the Spaniards, at last
entreated the assistance of the famous corsair, Oruj Reis, better known
by his European name, Barbarossa, composed of two Italian words,
signifying _red beard_. Nothing could be more agreeable than the number
and hardihood of his naval exploits, had been such an invitation to this
ambitious robber, who elated by for some time considering how he might
best establish his power by land. Accordingly, attended by five thousand
picked men, he entered Algiers, made himself master of the town,
assassinated Selim, and had himself proclaimed king in his stead; and
thus was established that nest of pirates, fresh swarms from which never
ceased to annoy Christian commerce and enslave Christian mariners, until
its late final destruction, by the French expedition in 1830.

In a piratical career of many centuries, the countless thousands who
have been taken, enslaved, and perished in bondage by these monsters
should long ago have drawn upon them the united vengeance of all
Christendom. Many a youth of family and fortune, of delicate
constitution has been captured and sold in the slave market. His labor
through the long hot days would be to cleanse out the foul bed of some
large empty reservoir, where he would be made to strip, and descending
into the pond, bring up in his arms the black stinking mud, heaped up
and pressed against his bosom; or to labor in drawing huge blocks of
stone to build the mole; or in building and repairing the
fortifications, with numerous other painful and disgusting tasks. The
only food was a scanty supply of black bread, and occasionally a few
decayed olives, or sheep which had died from some disorder. At night
they were crowded into that most horrid of prisons the Bagnio, to sleep
on a little filthy straw, amidst the most noisome stenches. Their limbs
in chains, and often receiving the lash. Occasionally an individual
would be ransomed; when his story would draw tears of pity from all who
heard it. Ladies were frequently taken by these monsters and treated in
the most inhuman manner. And sometimes whole families were enslaved.
Numerous facts, of the most heart-rending description are on record: but
our limits oblige us to be brief.

A Spanish lady, the wife of an officer, with her son, a youth of
fourteen, and her daughter, six years old, were taken in a Spanish
vessel by the Algerines. The barbarians treated her and both her
children with the greatest inhumanity. The eldest they kept in chains;
and the defenceless little one they wantonly treated so ill, that the
unhappy mother was often nearly deprived of her reason at the blows her
infant received from these wretches, who plundered them of every thing.
They kept them many days at sea on hard and scanty fare, covered only
with a few soiled rags; and in this state brought them to Algiers. They
had been long confined in a dreadful dungeon in the Bagnio where the
slaves are kept, when a messenger was sent to the Aga, or Captain of the
Bagnio, for a female slave. It fortunately fell to the lot of the
Spanish lady, but at the instant when she was embracing her son, who was
tearing himself from his mother with haggard and disordered looks, to go
to his imperious drivers; and while in despair she gazed on her little
worn-out infant, she heard herself summoned to attend the guard of the
prison to a family that had sent for a female slave. She obtained
permission to take her little daughter with her. She dreaded being
refused, and sent back to the horrid dungeon she was leaving where no
difference was paid to rank, and slaves of all conditions were huddled
together. She went therefore prepared to accept of anything short of
these sufferings. She was refused, as being in every respect opposite to
the description of the person sent for. At length her entreaties and
tears prevailed; compassion overruled every obstacle; and she, with her
little girl, was accepted. But there remained another difficulty; she
had left her son chained in the midst of that dungeon from which she had
just been rescued. Her kind patrons soon learned the cause of her
distress; but to send for the youth and treat him kindly, or in any way
above that of a common slave, must hazard the demand of so large a
ransom for him and his mother, as would forever preclude the hope of
liberty. He was, however, sent for, and the menial offices they were
both engaged to perform were only nominal. With circumspection the whole
family were sheltered in this manner for three years; when the war with
the Spaniards growing more inveterate, the Algerines demanded the youth
back to the Bagnio, to work in common with the other slaves, in
repairing the damages done to the fortresses by the Spanish cannon. He
was now compelled to go, loaded with heavy stones, through the whole of
the town; and at almost every step he received dreadful blows, not being
able to hasten his pace from the great weight.

Overcome at last with ill usage, the delicacy of his form and
constitution gave way to the excessive labor, and he one morning refused
the orders of his master, or driver, to rise from the straw on which he
was stretched, declaring they might kill him if they chose, for he would
not even try to carry another load of stones. Repeated messages had
been sent from the Venetian consul's, where his mother and sister were
sheltered, to the Aga, to return him; and when the Algerines found that
they had absolutely reduced him so near death, they thought it best to
spare his life for the sake of future ransom. They agreed, therefore, to
let him return to the Christians. His life was for some time despaired
of; but through the kind attention he received, he was rescued from the
threatened dissolution. His recovery was concealed, for fear of his
being demanded back to work; and a few months after, the Spanish peace
of 1784 being concluded, a ransom was accepted by the Algerines for this
suffering family, and they were set at liberty.

These pirates in old times extended their depredations into the Atlantic
as far as the British Channel. They swarmed in the Mediterranean, not
only belonging to Algiers, but Tunis, and other ports on the coast of
Barbary. Their corsairs making descents on the coasts of those countries
which border on the Mediterranean, pillaging the villages and carrying
off the inhabitants into slavery. The corsairs were vessels of different
descriptions; some large armed ships, and latterly frigates; others were
row gallies and the various craft used by the nations which navigate
that sea, and had been taken by them and added to their marine. Upon the
slaves being landed at Algiers they were marched to the Dey's or
Bashaw's palace, when he selected the number which according to law
belonged to him; and the rest were sold in the slave market to the
highest bidder. A moiety of the plunder, cargoes and vessels taken also
belonged to the Dey. Occasionally, a person by pretending to renounce
his religion, and turning Mahometan would have his sufferings mitigated.

The most desperate attempts were sometimes made to effect an escape from
these ruthless monsters, which occasionally succeeded.

In 1644 William Oakley and four companions escaped from Algiers, in a
most miraculous manner, in a canvas boat. There was at this time an
English clergyman, Mr. Sprat, in captivity, and the wretched slaves had
the privilege of meeting in a cellar, where he would pray with them.
Oakley had got into the good graces of his master, and was allowed his
time by giving his master two dollars a month. He traded in tobacco and
a few trifling articles, so that a strict watch was not kept on his
movements. He conceived the project of making a canvas boat. He says I
now first opened my design to my comrades, informing them, that I had
contrived the model of a boat, which, being formed in pieces, and
afterwards put together, might be the means of our deliverance. They
greedily grasped at the prospect; but cooler reflection pointed out
difficulties innumerable: some of them started objections which they
thought insuperable, and these I endeavored to overrule.

We began our work in the cellar which had served for our devotions,
though it was not the sanctity of the place, but its privacy, that
induced us to this selection. We first provided a piece of wood, twelve
feet long, and, that it might escape observation, it was cut in two,
being jointed in the middle. Next we procured the timbers of ribs,
which, to avoid the same hazard, were in three pieces each, and jointed
in two places. The flat side of one of the two pieces was laid over the
other, and two holes bored in every joint to receive nails; so that when
united, each joint would make an obtuse angle, and approach towards a
semicircular figure, as we required. We had, in the formation of an
external covering, to avoid hammering and nailing, which would have made
such a noise in the cellar as to attract the notice of the Algerines,
who are insufferably suspicious about their wives and slaves. Therefore,
we provided as much canvas as would cover the boat twice over, and as
much pitch, tar and tallow, as would make it a kind of tarpaulin; as
also earthen pots in which to melt our materials. The two carpenters and
myself were appointed to this service in the cellar. We stopped up all
chinks and crevices, that the fumes of these substances might not betray
us. But we had not been long at work, when the smell of the melting
materials overcame me, and obligated me to go into the streets gasping
for breath, where meeting with the cool air, I swooned away, and broke
my face in the fall. My companions, finding me in this plight, carried
me back, extremely sick and unserviceable. Before long, I heard one of
them complain of sickness, and thus he could proceed no further;
therefore, I saw if we abandoned our project this night, it might not be
resumed, which made me resolve to set the cellar door wide open, while I
stood sentinel to give notice of approaching danger. In this way we
finished the whole, and then carried it to my shop, which was about a
furlong distant.

Every thing was fitted in the cellar, the timbers to the keel, the
canvas to the timbers, and the seats to the whole, and then all were
taken to pieces again. It was a matter of difficulty, however, to get
the pieces conveyed out of the city; but William Adams carried the keel,
and hid it at the bottom of a hedge: the rest was carried away with
similar precautions. As I was carrying a piece of canvas, which we had
bought for a sail, I looked back, and discovered the same spy, who had
formerly given us much trouble, following behind. This gave me no small
concern; but, observing an Englishman washing clothes by the sea side, I
desired his help in washing the canvas. Just as we were engaged with it,
the spy came up, and stood on a rock exactly over our heads, to watch
us. Therefore, to delude him, I took the canvas and spread it before his
face on the top of the rock to dry; he staid his own time, and then
marched off. Still I was jealous of his intentions, which induced me to
carry the canvas, when dry, straight back to the city, an incident that
greatly discouraged my comrades. We also procured a small quantity of
provisions, and two goat skins full of fresh water.

In the mean time, I paid my patron my wonted visits, kept up a fair
correspondence, and duly gave him his demands; while I secretly turned
all my goods to ready money as fast as I could, and putting it into a
trunk with a false bottom, I committed it to the charge of Mr. Sprat who
faithfully preserved it for me.

The place which we chose for joining the boat together was a hill about
half a mile from the city, thinking by that means the better to descry
the approach of danger. When the pieces were united, and the canvas
drawn on, four of our number carried the boat down to the sea, where,
stripping ourselves naked, and putting our clothes within, we carried it
as far as we could wade, lest it might be injured by the stones or rocks
near the shore. But we soon discovered that our calculations of lading
were erroneous; for no sooner had we embarked, than the water came in
over the sides, and she was like to sink; so that some new device became
necessary. At last, one whose heart most failed him was willing to be
excluded, and wished rather to hazard the uncertain torments of land,
than the certainty of being drowned at sea. However the boat was still
so deeply laden, that we all concluded that it was impossible to venture
to sea. At length another went ashore, and she held her head stoutly,
and seemed sufficiently capable of our voyage.

Taking a solemn farewell of our two companions left behind, and wishing
them as much happiness as could be hoped for in slavery, and they to us
as long life as could be expected by men going to their graves, we
launched out on the 30th of June 1644, a night ever to be remembered.
Our company consisted of John Anthony, William Adams, John Jephs, John
the carpenter and myself. We now put to sea, without helm, tackle, or
compass. Four of us continually labored at the oars; the employment of
the fifth was baling out the water that leaked through the canvas. We
struggled hard the first night to get out of the reach of our old
masters; but when the day broke, we were still within sight of their
ships in the haven and road-stead. Yet, out boat being small, and lying
close and snug upon the sea, either was not discovered at all, or else
seemed something that was not worth taking up.

On all occasions we found our want of foresight, for now the bread which
had lain soaking in the salt water, was quite spoiled, and the tanned
skins imparted a nauseous quality to the fresh water. So long as bread
was bread, we made no complaints; with careful economy it lasted three
days, but then pale famine, which is the most horrible shape in which
death can be painted, began to stare us in the face. The expedients on
which we fell to assuage our thirst rather inflamed it, and several
things added to our distress. For some time the wind was right against
us; our labour was incessant, for, although much rowing did not carry us
forward, still, cessation of it drove us back; and the season was raging
hot, which rendered our toil insupportable. One small alleviation we had
in the man whose province it was to bale the water out of the boat; he
threw it on our bodies to cool them. However, what with the scorching of
the sun and cooling of the water, our skin was blistered all over. By
day we were stark naked; by night we had on shirts or loose coats; for
we had left our clothing ashore, on purpose to lighten the boat.

One of our number had a pocket dial, which supplied the place of a
compass; and, to say the truth, was not ill befitting such a vessel and
such mariners. By its aid we steered our course by day, while the stars
served as a guide by night; and, if they were obscured, we guessed our
way by the motion of the clouds. In this woful plight we continued four
days and nights. On the fifth day we were at the brink of despair, and
abandoned all hopes of safety. Thence we ceased our labor, and laid
aside our oars; for, either we had no strength left to use them, or were
reluctant to waste the little we had to no purpose. Still we kept
emptying the boat, loth to drown, loth to die, yet knowing no means to
avoid death.

They that act least commonly wish the most; and, when we had forsaken
useful labor, we resorted to fruitless wishes--that we might be taken up
by some ship, if it were but a ship, no matter of what country.

While we lay hulling up and down, our hopes at so low an ebb, we
discovered a tortoise, not far from us, asleep in the sea. Had the great
Drake discovered the Spanish plate fleet, he could not have been more
rejoiced. Once again we bethought ourselves of our oars, and silently
rowing to our prey, took it into the boat in great triumph. Having cut
off its head, and let it bleed in a vessel, we drank the blood, ate the
liver, and sucked the flesh. Our strength and spirits were wonderfully
refreshed, and our work was vigorously renewed. Leaving our fears behind
us, we began to gather hope, and, about noon, discovered, or thought
that we discovered, land. It is impossible to describe our joy and
triumph on this occasion. It was new life to us; it brought fresh blood
into our veins, and fresh vigor into our pale cheeks: we looked like
persons raised from the dead. After further exertion, becoming more
confident, we were at last fully satisfied that it was land. Now, like
distracted persons, we all leapt into the sea, and, being good swimmers,
cooled our parched bodies, never considering that we might become a
ready prey to the sharks. But we presently returned to our boat, and
from being wearied with the exertion, and somewhat cooled by the sea,
lay down to sleep with as much security as if it had been in our beds.
It was fortunately of such short duration that the leaking of the boat
occasioned no danger.

Refreshed by sleep, we found new strength for our work, and tugged hard
at the oar, in hopes of reaching a more stable element before night. But
our progress was very slow. Towards evening an island was discovered,
which was Fromentere, having already seen Majorca; at least, some of our
company, who had navigated these seas, declared that it was so. We
debated long to which of the two our course should be directed; and,
because the last discovered was much infested with venomous serpents, we
all resolved to make for Majorca. The whole of that night we rowed very
hard, and also the next, being the sixth from our putting to sea. The
island was in sight all day, and about ten at night we came under the
land, but it consisted of rocks so steep and craggy that we could not
climb up.

Whilst under these rocks a vessel approached very near. Let the reader
conceive our apprehensions, after all our toil and labor, of being
seized by some Turkish privateer, such as are never off the seas. Thus
we were obliged to lie close; and, when the vessel had passed, we crept
gently along the coast, as near as we durst to the shore, until finding
a suitable place to receive our weather-beaten boat.

We were not insensible of our deliverance on reaching land; though, like
men just awakened from a dream, we could not duly appreciate the
greatness of it. Having had no food since we got the tortoise, John
Anthony and myself set out in search of fresh water, and three remained
with the boat. Before proceeding far, we found ourselves in a wood,
which created great embarrassment. My comrade wished to go one way, and
I wished to go another. How frail and impotent a being is man! That we,
whom common dangers by sea had united, should now fall out about our own
inclinations at land. Yet so we did. He gave me reproachful words; and
it is well that we did not come to blows, but I went my way, and he,
seeing me resolute, followed. The path led to one of those watchtowers
which the Spaniards keep on the coast to give timely notice of the
approach of privateers. Afraid of being fired on, we called to the
sentinel, informing him who we were, and earnestly requesting him to
direct us to fresh water, and to give us some bread. He very kindly
threw down an old mouldy cake, and directed us to a well close at hand.
We drank a little water, and ate a bit of the cake, which we had
difficulty in swallowing, and then hastened to return to our companions
in the boat, to acquaint them with our success.

Though now necessary to leave the boat, we did not do it without regret;
but this was lulled by the importunate cravings of hunger and thirst;
therefore, making her fast ashore, we departed. Advancing, or rather
crawling towards the well, another quarrel rose amongst us, the
remembrance of which is so ungrateful that I shall bury it in silence,
the best tomb for controversies. One of our company, William Adams, in
attempting to drink, was unable to swallow the water, and sunk to the
ground, faintly exclaiming, "I am a dead man!" After much straining and
forcing, he, at length, got a little over; and when we were all
refreshed with the cake and water, we lay down by the side of the well
to wait for morning.

When it was broad day, we once more applied to the sentinel, to point
out the way to the nearest house or town, which he did, directing us to
a house about two miles distant; but our feet were so raw and blistered
by the sun that it was long before we could get this short journey over;
and then, the owners of the house, concluding from our garb that we came
with a pilfering design, presented a fowling-piece, charging us to
stand. The first of our number, who could speak the language of the
country, mildly endeavored to undeceive him, saying, we were a company
of poor creatures, whom the wonderful providence of God had rescued from
the slavery of Algiers, and hoped that he would show mercy to our
afflictions. The honest farmer, moved with our relation, sent out
bread, water and olives. After refreshing ourselves with these, we lay
down and rested three or four hours in the field; and, having given him
thanks for his charity, prepared to crawl away. Pleased with our
gratitude, he called us into his house, and gave us good warm bean
pottage, which to me seemed the best food I had ever ate. Again taking
leave, we advanced towards Majorca, which was about ten miles distant.

Next morning we arrived in the suburbs, where the singularity of our
attire, being barefoot and bare legged, and having nothing on except
loose shirts, drawn over our coats, attracted a crowd of enquirers. We
gave a circumstantial account of our deliverance; and, as they were
willing to contribute to our relief, they supplied us with food, wine,
strong waters, and whatever else might renovate our exhausted spirits.
They said, however, that we must remain in the suburbs until the viceroy
had notice of our arrival. We were called before him, and when he had
heard the account of our escape and dangers, he ordered us to be
maintained at his expense until we should obtain a passage to our own
country; and, in the meantime, the people collected money to buy clothes
and shoes.

From Majorca they proceeded to Cadiz, and from thence to England, which
they reached in safety.

Several expeditions at different periods were fitted out by different
European nations to chastise the pirates. The Emperor, Charles V., in
the plenitude of his power, sailed with a formidable armament in the
year 1541, and affected a landing. Without doubt he would have taken the
city, if a terrible storm had not risen, which destroyed a great part of
his fleet and obliged him to re-embark with his shattered forces in the
greatest precipitation. The exultation of the Algerines was unbounded;
they now looked on themselves as the special favorites of heaven; the
most powerful army which had ever attempted their subjection had
returned with the loss of one third their number, and a great part of
its ships and transports. Prisoners had been taken in such abundance,
that to show their worthlessness, they were publicly sold in the
market-place at Algiers, at an onion a head.

For nearly a century after this, little occurs of note in Algerine
history except a constant system of piracy. In 1655 the British Admiral
Blake gave them a drubbing.

The French were the next to attack these common enemies of Europe.
Admiral Duguesne commanded the expedition, and after bombarding the
place a short time, the Dey himself soon began to be terrified at the
destruction these new engines of naval war made, when an unfavorable
wind arising, compelled the fleet to make all sail for Toulon.

Relieved from the terror of immediate destruction, the Algerines
returned to their old ways, making descents on the coast of Provence,
where they committed the most dreadful ravages, killing, burning and
destroying all that came in their way. The Dey also recovered, not only
his courage, but his humor; for learning what a large sum the late
expedition against his city had cost, he sent to say, "that if Louis
would give him half the money, he would undertake to burn the whole city
to please him." The French accordingly sent a new expedition under the
same officers the next year. Duguesne again sailed, and in front of the
city was joined by the Marquis D'Affranville, at the head of five other
stout ships. A council of war was held and an immediate attack resolved
upon, in consequence of which, the vessels having taken up their
stations, a hundred bombs were thrown into the town during that day, and
as many more on the following night, when the town was observed to be on
fire in several places; the Dey's palace, and other public buildings
were in ruins; some of the batteries were dismounted, and several
vessels sunk in the fort. This speedy destruction soon determined the
Dey and Janissaries to sue for peace; and a message to this effect was
sent to Duguesne, who consented to cease firing, but refused to
negociate regarding terms, until all the captives taken fighting under
the French flag were given up as a preliminary step. This was agreed to,
and one hundred and forty-two prisoners immediately sent off. In the
mean time the soldiery becoming furious, assassinated the Dey and
elected a new one, who ordered the flag to be hoisted on the city walls.
Hostilities were now renewed with greater fury than before, and the
French admiral threw such volleys of bombs into the city, that in less
than three days the greatest part of it was reduced to ashes; and the
fire burnt with such vehemence that the bay was illuminated to the
distance of two or three leagues. Rendered desperate by the carnage
around him, the new Dey ordered all the French captives who had been
collected into the city to be cruelly murdered, and binding Father
Vacher, the French Resident, hand and foot, had him tied to a mortar and
fired off like a bomb against the French fleet. This wanton piece of
atrocity so exasperated Duguesne, that, laying his fleet as near land as
possible, he continued his cannonade until he had destroyed all their
shipping, fortifications, buildings; in short, almost the whole of the
lower town, and about two-thirds of the upper; when finding nothing else
which a naval force could do, and being unprovided for a land
expedition, he stood out leisurely to sea, leaving the Algerines to
reflect over the sad consequences of their obstinacy. For several years
after this they kept in the old piratical track; and upon the British
consuls making a complaint to the Dey, on occasion of one of his
corsairs having captured a vessel, he openly replied, "It is all very
true, but what would you have? the Algerines are a company of rogues,
and I am their captain."

To such people force was the argument; and in 1700 Capt. Beach, falling
in with seven of their frigates, attacked them, drove them on shore, and
burnt them. Expeditions at various times were sent against them, but
without effecting much; and most of the maritime nations paid them
tribute. But a new power was destined to spring up, from which these
pirates were to receive their first check; that power was the United
States of America.

In 1792 his corsairs, in a single cruise, swept off ten American
vessels, and sent their crews to the Bagnio, so that there were one
hundred and fifteen in slavery.

Negociations were at once set on foot; the Dey's demands had of course
risen in proportion to the number of his prisoners, and the Americans
had not only to pay ransom at a high rate, with presents, marine stores,
and yearly tribute, but to build and present to the Dey, as a
propitiatory offering, a thirty-six gun frigate; so that the whole
expenses fell little short of a million of dollars, in return for which
they obtained liberty for their captives, protection for their merchant
vessels, and the right of free trade with Algiers. The treaty was signed
September 5th, 1795; and from that time, up to 1812, the Dey continued
on tolerable good terms with Congress; indeed, so highly was he pleased
with them, in 1800, that he signified to the consul his intention of
sending an ambassador to the Porte, with the customary presents, in the
Washington, a small American frigate, at that time lying in the harbor
of Algiers. In vain the consul and captain remonstrated, and represented
that they had no authority to send the vessel on such a mission; they
were silenced by the assurance that it was a particular honor conferred
on them, which the Dey had declined offering to any of the English
vessels then in harbor, as he was rather angry with that nation. The
Washington was obliged to be prepared for the service; the corsair flag,
bearing the turbaned head of Ali, was run up to her main top, under a
salute of seven guns; and in this respectable plight she sailed up the
Mediterranean, dropped anchor before the seven towers, where, having
landed her cargo, she was permitted to resume her own colors, and was
thus the first vessel to hoist the American Union in the Thracian
Bosphorus.

[Illustration: _Algerines in the act of firing off the French consul from
a mortar at the French fleet._]

In 1812, however, the Dey, finding his funds at a low ebb, and receiving
from all quarters reports that a wealthy American commerce was afloat,
determined on trying them with a new war. He was peculiarly unfortunate
in the time chosen, as the States, having about a month previously
declared war with Great Britain, had, in fact, withdrawn most of the
merchant ships from the sea, so that the only prize which fell into the
hands of the Dey's cruizers was a small brig, with a crew of eleven
persons. The time at length came for putting an end to these lawless
depredations, and peace having been concluded with England, President
Madison, in 1815, despatched an American squadron, under commodores
Bainbridge and Decatur, with Mr. Shaler, as envoy, on board, to demand
full satisfaction for all injuries done to American subjects, the
immediate release of such as were captives, the restitution of their
property, with an assurance that no future violence should be offered,
and also to negociate the preliminaries of a treaty on terms of perfect
equality, no proposal of tribute being at all admissible. The squadron
reached its destination early in June, and, having captured an Algerine
frigate and brig-of-war, suddenly appeared before Algiers, at a moment
when all the cruizers were at sea, and delivered, for the consideration
of the Divan, the terms on which they were commissioned to make peace,
together with a letter from the President to the Dey. Confounded by the
sudden and entirely unexpected appearance of this force, the Algerines
agreed, on the 30th of June, to the proposals of a treaty, almost
without discussion.

It had long been a reproach to Great Britain, the mistress of the sea,
that she had tamely suffered a barbarian power to commit such atrocious
ravages on the fleets and shores of the minor states along the
Mediterranean. At length a good cause was made for chastising them.

At Bona, a few miles to the east of Algiers, was an establishment for
carrying on a coral fishery, under the protection of the British flag,
which, at the season, was frequented by a great number of boats from the
Corsican, Neapolitan, and other Italian ports. On the 23d of May, the
feast of Ascension, as the crews of all the boats were preparing to hear
mass, a gun was fired from the castle, and at the same time appeared
about two thousand, other accounts say four thousand, infantry and
cavalry, consisting of Turks, Levanters, and Moors. A part of these
troops proceeded towards the country, whilst another band advanced
towards the river, where the fishing boats were lying at different
distances from the sea; and opening a fire upon the unfortunate
fishermen, who were partly on board and partly on land, massacred almost
the whole of them. They then seized the English flags, tore them in
pieces, and trampling them under foot, dragged them along the ground in
triumph. The men who happened to be in the country saved themselves by
flight, and declared that they saw the soldiers pillage the house of the
British vice-consul, the magazines containing the provisions, and the
coral that had been fished up. A few boats escaped, and brought the news
to Genoa, whence it was transmitted by the agent of Lloyd's in a
despatch, dated June 6th.

No sooner had the account of this atrocious slaughter reached England,
than all ranks seemed inflamed with a desire that a great and signal
punishment should be taken on this barbarian prince, who was neither
restrained by the feelings of humanity nor bound by treaties. An
expedition, therefore, was fitted out with all speed at Portsmouth, and
the command intrusted to Lord Exmouth, who, after some delays from
contrary winds, finally sailed, July 28th, with a fleet complete in all
points, consisting of his own ship, the Queen Charlotte, one hundred
and twenty guns; the Impregnable, rear admiral, Sir David Milne; ninety
guns; Minden, Superb, Albion, each seventy-four guns; the Leander fifty
guns, with four more frigates and brigs, bombs, fire-ships, and several
smaller vessels, well supplied, in addition to the ordinary means of
warfare, with Congreve rockets, and Shrapnell shells, the destructive
powers of which have lately been abundantly proved on the continent.
August 9, the fleet anchored at Gibraltar, and was there joined by the
Dutch admiral, Van Cappillen, commanding five frigates and a corvette,
who had been already at Algiers, endeavoring to deliver slaves: but
being refused, and finding his force insufficient, had determined on
joining himself with the English squadron, which it was understood was
under weigh. Meanwhile, the Prometheus, Captain Dashwood, had been sent
forward to Algiers to bring off the British consul and family; but could
only succeed in getting his wife and daughter, who were obliged to make
their escape, disguised in midshipmen's uniform; for the Dey, having
heard through some French papers of the British expedition, had seized
the consul, Mr. Macdonnell, and put him in chains; and, hearing of the
escape of his wife, immediately ordered the detention of two boats of
the Prometheus, which happened to be on shore, and made slaves of the
crews, amounting to eighteen men. This new outrage was reported to Lord
Exmouth soon after leaving Gibraltar, and of course added not a little
to his eagerness to reach Algiers. He arrived off Algiers on the morning
of the 27th of August, and sent in his interpreter, Mr. Salame, with
Lieutenant Burgess, under a flag of truce, bearing a letter for the Dey,
demanding reparation.

Meantime, a light breeze sprung up, and the fleet advanced into the bay,
and lay to, at about a mile off Algiers "It was now," says Mr. Salame,
in his entertaining narrative, "half-past two, and no answer coming out,
notwithstanding we had staid half an hour longer than our instructions,
and the fleet being almost opposite the town, with a fine breeze, we
thought proper, after having done our duty, to lose no more time, but to
go on board, and inform his lordship of what had happened.

"Mr. Burgess, the flag-lieutenant, having agreed with me, we hoisted the
signal, _that no answer had been given_, and began to row away towards
the Queen Charlotte. After I had given our report to the admiral, of our
meeting the captain of the port, and our waiting there, &c., I was quite
surprised to see how his lordship was altered from what I left him in
the morning; for I knew his manner was in general very mild, and now he
seemed to me _all-fightful,_ as a fierce lion, which had been chained in
its cage, and was set at liberty. With all that, his lordship's answer
to me was, '_Never mind, we shall see now_;' and at the same time he
turned towards the officers, saying, '_Be ready_,' whereupon I saw every
one with the match or the string of the lock in his hand, most anxiously
expecting the word '_Fire_'!

"No sooner had Salame returned, than his lordship made the signal to know
whether all the ships were ready, which being answered in the
affirmative, he directly turned the head of the Queen Charlotte towards
shore, and, to the utter amazement of the Algerines, ran across all the
batteries without firing or receiving a single shot, until he brought up
within eighty yards of the south end of the mole, where he lashed her to
the mainmast of an Algerine brig, which he had taken as his direction,
and had then the pleasure of seeing all the rest of the fleet, including
the Dutch frigates, taking up their assigned stations with the same
precision and regularity. The position in which the Queen Charlotte was
laid was so admirable that she was only exposed to the fire of three or
four flanking guns, while her broadside swept the whole batteries, and
completely commanded the mole and marine, every part of which could be
seen distinctly from her quarter-deck. Up to this moment not a shot had
been fired, and the batteries were all crowded with spectators, gazing
in astonishment at the quiet and regularity which prevailed through all
the British ships, and the dangerous vicinity in which they placed
themselves to such formidable means of defence. Lord Exmouth, therefore,
began to conceive hopes that his demands would still be granted; but the
delay, it appeared, was caused by the Algerines being completely
unprepared for so very sudden an approach, insomuch that their guns were
not shotted at the moment when the Queen Charlotte swept past them, and
they were distinctly seen loading them as the other ships were coming
into line. Anxious, if possible, to spare unnecessary effusion of blood,
his lordship, standing on the quarter-deck, repeatedly waved his hat as
a warning to the multitudes assembled on the mole to retire, but his
signal was unheeded, and at a quarter before three in the afternoon the
first gun was fired at the Queen Charlotte from the eastern battery, and
two more at the Albion and Superb, which were following. Then Lord
Exmouth, having seen only _the smoke of the gun,_ before the sound
reached him, said, with great alacrity, '_That will do; fire my fine
fellows!_' and I am sure that before his lordship had finished these
words, our broadside was given with great cheering, which was fired
three times within five or six minutes; and at the same time the other
ships did the same. This first fire was so terrible, that they say more
than five hundred persons were killed and wounded by it. And I believe
this, because there was a great crowd of people in every part, many of
whom, after the first discharge, I saw running away, under the walls,
like dogs, walking upon their feet and hands.

"After the attack took place on both sides in this horrible manner,
immediately the sky was darkened by the smoke, the sun completely
eclipsed, and the horizon became dreary. Being exhausted by the heat of
that powerful sun, to which I was exposed the whole day, and my ears
being deafened by the roar of the guns, and finding myself in the
dreadful danger of such a terrible engagement, in which I had never been
before, I was quite at a loss, and like an astonished or stupid man, and
did not know myself where I was. At last his lordship, having perceived
my situation, said, 'You have done your duty, now go below.' Upon which
I began to descend from the quarter-deck, quite confounded and
terrified, and not sure that I should reach the cock-pit alive; for it
was most tremendous to hear the crashing of the shot, to see the wounded
men brought from one part, and the killed from the other; and
especially, at such a time, to be found among the _English seamen_! and
to witness their manners, their activity, their courage, and their
cheerfulness during the battle!--it is really most overpowering and
beyond imagination."

The battle continued to rage furiously, and the havoc on both sides was
very great. There were some awful moments, particularly when Algerine
vessels so near our line were set on fire. The officers surrounding Lord
Exmouth had been anxious for permission to make an attempt upon the
outer frigate, distant about a hundred yards. He at length consented,
and Major Gossett, of the corps of marines, eagerly entreated and
obtained permission to accompany Lieutenant Richards in the ship's
barge. The frigate was instantly boarded, and, in ten minutes, in a
perfect blaze. A gallant young midshipman, although forbidden, was led
by his too ardent spirit to follow in support of the barge, in which
attempt he was desperately wounded, his brother officer killed, and nine
of the crew. The barge, by rowing more rapidly, escaped better, having
but one killed.

About sunset the admiral received a message from rear-admiral Milne,
stating his severe loss in killed and wounded, amounting to one hundred
and fifty, and requesting that, if possible, a frigate might be sent him
to take off some of the enemy's fire. The Glasgow accordingly was
ordered to get under weigh, but the wind having been laid by the
cannonade, she was obliged again to anchor, having obtained a rather
more favorable position. The flotilla of mortar, gun, and rocket boats,
under the direction of their respective artillery officers, shared to
the full extent of their powers the honors and toils of this glorious
day. It was by their fire that all the ships in the port (with the
exception of the outer frigate already mentioned) were in flames, which,
extending rapidly over the whole arsenal, gun-boats, and storehouses,
exhibited a spectacle of awful grandeur and interest which no pen can
describe. The sloops of war which had been appropriated to aid and
assist the ships of the line, and prepare for their retreat, performed
not only that duty well, but embraced every opportunity of firing
through the intervals, and were constantly in motion. The shells from
the bombs were admirably well thrown by the royal marine artillery, and,
though directed over and across our own men-of-war, did not produce a
single accident. To complete the confusion of the enemy, the admiral now
ordered the explosion ship, which had been charged for the occasion, to
be brought within the mole; but upon the representation of Sir David
Milne that it would do him essential service, if made to act on the
battery in his front, it was towed to that spot, and blown up with
tremendous effect.

This was almost the final blow;--the enemy's fire had for some time been
very slack, and now almost wholly ceased, except that occasionally a few
shots and shells were discharged from the higher citadel, upon which the
guns of the fleet could not be brought to bear. The admiral, who from
the commencement had been in the hottest of the engagement, and had
fired until his guns were so hot that they could, some of them, not be
used again; now seeing that he had executed the most important part of
his instructions, issued orders for drawing off the fleet. This was
commenced in excellent order about ten at night, and the usual breeze
having set off from shore favored their manoeuvre, so that, all hands
being employed in warping and towing, the vessels were got safely into
the bay, and anchored, beyond reach of shot, about two o'clock the next
morning.

So signal and well contested a victory could not have been gained
without a considerable loss and suffering. It amounted in the English
fleet, to one hundred and twenty-eight men killed, and six hundred and
ninety wounded; in the Dutch squadron, to thirteen killed, and fifty-two
wounded; grand total, eight hundred and eighty-three. But the enemy
suffered much more severly; they are computed to have lost, in killed
and wounded, not less than between six and seven thousand men. The loss
sustained by the Algerines by the destruction in the mole was four large
frigates, of forty-four guns. Five large corvettes, from twenty-four to
thirty guns. All the gun and mortar-boats, except seven; thirty
destroyed. Several merchant brigs and schooners. A great number of small
vessels of various descriptions. All the pontoons, lighters, &c.,
Store-houses and arsenal, with all the timber, and various marine
articles destroyed in part. A great many gun-carriages, mortar-beds,
casks, and ships' stores of all descriptions.

Negociations were immediately opened in form; and on the 30th August the
admiral published a notification to the fleet, that all demands had been
complied with, the British consul had been indemnified for his losses,
and the Dey, in presence of all his officers, had made him a public
apology for the insults offered him. On the 1st of September, Lord
Exmouth had the pleasure of informing the secretary of the Admiralty,
that all the slaves in the city of Algiers, and its immediate vicinity
were embarked; as also 357,000 dollars for Naples, and 25,000 dollars
for Sardinia.

The number of slaves thus released amounted to one thousand and
eighty-three, of whom four hundred and seventy-one were Neapolitans,
two hundred and thirty-six Sicilians, one hundred and seventy-three
Romans, six Tuscans, one hundred and sixty-one Spaniards, one
Portuguese, seven Greeks, twenty-eight Dutch, and not _one Englishman_.
Were there an action more than another on which an Englishman would
willingly risk the fame and honor of his nation, it would be this attack
on Algiers, which, undertaken solely at her own risk, and earned solely
by the expenditure of her own blood and her own resources, rescued not a
single subject of her own from the tyrant's grasp, while it freed more
than a thousand belonging to other European powers.

In August, 1816, the strength of Algiers seemed annihilated; her walls
were in ruins, her haughty flag was humbled to the dust; her gates lay
open to a hostile power, and terms were dictated in the palace of her
princes. A year passed, the hostile squadron had left her ports, the
clang of the workman's hammer, the hum of busy men resounded through her
streets, fresh walls had risen, new and more formidable batteries had
been added; again she resumed her attitude as of yore, bid defiance to
her foes, and declared war on civilization:--again her blood-stained
corsairs swept the seas, eager for plunder, ready for combat;--Christian
commerce once more became shackled by her enterprise, and Christian
captives once more sent up their cry for deliverance. In 1819, her
piracies had become so numerous that the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle
caused it to be notified to the Dey, that their cessation was required,
and would be enforced, by a combined French and English squadron. His
reply was brief and arrogant, and the admirals were obliged to leave
without obtaining the least satisfaction. By menaces, however,
accompanied by the presence of some cruisers, England, France, and the
United States caused their flags to be respected.

Ali, the successor of Amar, had died in 1818, and was succeeded by
Hassein Pasha, who, from the commencement of his reign, evinced the
strongest antipathy to the French power. In 1824, he imposed an
arbitrary tax through all his provinces on French goods and
manufactures; the consul's house was frequently entered and searched in
a vexatious manner, contrary to the express stipulations of treaties;
and, finally, April, 1827, the consul himself, having gone at the feast
of Bayram to pay his respects, was, upon a slight difference of opinion
arising during their conversation, struck across the mouth with a
fly-flap which the Dey held in his hand, and in consequence soon after
left Algiers, while the Dey ordered the destruction of all the French
establishments along the coast towards Bona, and oppressed in every
manner the French residents within his dominions. A blockade was
instantly commenced by the French, and maintained for nearly three
years, until it was found that they suffered much more by it than the
Dey, the expense having reached nearly 800,000_l_ sterling, while he
appeared no way inconvenienced by their efforts, and even treated them
with such contempt as to order his forts to fire on the vessel of
Admiral Le da Bretonnière, who, in 1829, had gone there under a flag of
truce to make a final proposal of terms of accommodation. So signal a
violation of the laws of nations could not be overlooked, even by the
imbecile administrations of Charles X. All France was in an uproar; the
national flag had been dishonored, and her ambassador insulted; the cry
for war became loud and universal; conferences on the subject were held;
the oldest and most experienced mariners were invited by the minister at
war to assist in his deliberations; and an expedition was finally
determined on in the month of February, 1830, to consist of about
thirty-seven thousand men, a number which it was calculated would not
only be sufficient to overcome all opposition which might be
encountered, but to enable the French to reduce the kingdom to a
province, and retain it in subjection for any length of time that might
be considered advisable. No sooner was this decision promulgated, than
all the necessary preparations were commenced with the utmost diligence.
It was now February, and the expedition was to embark by the end of
April, so that no time could be lost. The arsenals, the naval and
military workships, were all in full employment. Field and breaching
batteries were mounted on a new principle lately adopted; gabions,
earth-bags, _chevaux-de-frise,_ and projectiles were made in the
greatest abundance maps, notes, and all the information that could be
procured respecting Barbary were transmitted to the war office, where
their contents were compared and digested, and a plan of operations was
drawn out. The commissariat were busied in collecting provisions,
waggons, and fitting out an efficient hospital train; a
deputy-commissary was despatched to reconnoitre the coasts of Spain and
the Balearic Islands, to ascertain what resources could be drawn from
them, and negociate with the king for leave to establish military
hospitals at Port Mahon. Eighteen regiments of the line, three squadrons
of cavalry, and different corps of artillery and engineers were ordered
to hold themselves in readiness; four hundred transports were assembled,
and chartered by government in the port of Marseilles, while the vessels
of war, which were to form the convoy, were appointed their rendezvous
in the neighborhood of Toulon. After some hesitation as to who should
command this important expedition, the Count de Bourmont, then minister
at war, thought fit to appoint himself; and his etat-major was soon
complete, Desprez acting as chief, and Tholozé as second in command.
Maubert de Neuilly was chosen provost-marshal, De Bartillat (who
afterwards wrote an entertaining account of the expedition)
quarter-master general, and De Carne commissary-general to the forces.
In addition to these, there were about twenty aid-de-camps, orderlies,
and young men of rank attached to the staff, together with a Spanish
general, an English colonel, a Russian colonel and lieutenant, and two
Saxon officers, deputed by their respective governments. There were also
a section of engineer-geographers, whose business was to survey and map
the country as it was conquered, "and," says M. Roget, who was himself
employed in the service we have just mentioned, and to whose excellent
work, written in that capacity, we are so much indebted, "twenty-four
interpreters, the half of whom knew neither French nor Arabic, were
attached-to the different corps of the army, in order to facilitate
their intercourse with the inhabitants." As the minister had determined
on risking his own reputation on the expedition, the supplies were all,
of course, of the completest kind, and in the greatest abundance.
Provisions for three months were ordered; an equal quantity was to be
forwarded as soon as the army had landed in Africa; and, amongst the
other materials furnished we observe, in looking over the returns,
thirty wooden legs, and two hundred crutches, for the relief of the
unfortunate heroes, a boring apparatus to sink pumps, if water should
run short, and a balloon, with two aeronauts, to reconnoitre the enemy's
position, in case, as was represented to be their wont, they should
entrench themselves under the shelter of hedges and brushwood.

The French effected a landing at Sidy-el-Ferruch, a small promontory,
about five leagues to the west of Algiers, and half a league to the east
of the river Massaflran, where it discharges itself into the bay. On the
14th of June they all landed without opposition.

After a continued series of engagements and skirmishes the army got
within cannon shot of Algiers, where they broke ground and began
entrenching, and the French works being completed, the heavy breaching
cannon were all mounted; and at day-break on the 4th of July, General
Lahitte, having assured himself by personal inspection that all was
ready, ordered the signal rocket to be thrown, and at the same moment
the whole French batteries opened their fire within point blank
distance, and with a report which shook the whole of Algiers, and
brought the garrison, who were little expecting so speedy an attack,
running to their posts. The artillery was admirably served, and from one
battery which enfiladed the fort, the balls were seen to sweep away at
once an entire row of Algerine cannoneers from their guns. The Turks
displayed the most undaunted courage; they answered shot for shot,
supplied with fresh men the places of such as were slain, stopped up
with woolsacks the breaches made by the balls, replaced the cannon which
the French fire had dismounted, and never relaxed their exertions for a
moment. But the nature of their works was ill-calculated to withstand
the scientific accuracy with which the besiegers made their attack.
Every ball now told--the tower in the centre was completely riddled by
shots and shells; the bursting of these latter had disabled great
numbers of the garrison. By seven o'clock the besieged had begun to
retire from the most damaged part of their works; by half-past eight the
whole outer line of defence was abandoned, and by nine the fire of the
fort was extinct. The Turkish general, finding opposition hopeless, had
sent to the Dey for commands; and in reply was ordered to retreat with
his whole remaining force to the Cassaubah, and leave three negroes to
blow up the fort. The tranquillity with which they performed this fatal
task deserves record. The French, finding the enemy's fire to fail,
directed all theirs towards effecting a practicable breach. The fort
seemed to be abandoned;--two red flags floated still on its outside line
of defence, and a third on the angle towards the city. Three negroes
were seen calmly walking on the ramparts, and from time to time looking
over, as if to examine what progress the breach was making. One of them,
struck by a cannon-ball, fell, and the others, as if to revenge his
death, ran to a cannon, pointed it, and fired three shots. At the third,
the gun turned over, and they were unable to replace it. They tried
another, and as they were in the act of raising it, a shot swept the
legs from under one of them. The remaining negro gazed for a moment on
his comrade, drew him a little back, left him, and once more examined
the breach. He then snatched one of the flags, and retired to the
interior of the tower; in a few minutes he re-appeared, took a second
and descended. The French continued to cannonade, and the breach
appeared almost practicable, when suddenly they were astounded by a
terrific explosion, which shook the whole ground as with an earthquake;
an immense column of smoke, mixed with streaks of flame, burst from the
centre of the fortress, masses of solid masonry were hurled into the air
to an amazing height, while cannon, stones, timbers, projectiles, and
dead bodies, were scattered in every direction--the negro had done his
duty--the fort was blown up.

In half an hour the French sappers and miners were at work repairing the
smoking ruins, their advanced guards had effected a reconnoissance along
the side of the hill towards the fort Bab-azoona, and their engineers
had broken ground for new works within seven hundred yards of the
Cassaubah. But these preparations were unnecessary; the Dey had resigned
all further intention of resistance, and at two o'clock a flag of truce
was announced, which proved to be Sidy Mustapha, the Dey's private
secretary, charged with offers of paying the whole expense of the
campaign, relinquishing all his demands on France, and making any
further reparation that the French general might require, on condition
that the troops should not enter Algiers. These proposals met with an
instant negative:--Bourmont felt that Algiers was in his power, and
declared that he would grant no other terms than an assurance of life to
the Dey and inhabitants, adding that if the gates were not opened he
should recommence his fire. Scarcely had Mustapha gone, than two other
deputies appeared, sent by the townsmen to plead in their behalf. They
were a Turk called Omar, and a Moor named Bouderba, who having lived for
some time at Marseilles, spoke French perfectly. They received nearly
the same answer as Mustapha; but they proved themselves better
diplomatists, for they spoke so much to the general of the danger, there
would be in refusing the Janissaries all terms, and the probability that
if thus driven to despair they might make a murderous resistance, and
afterwards destroy all the wealth and blow up all the forts before
surrendering, that Bourmont, yielding to their representations, became
less stern in his demands; and Mustapha having returned about the same
time with the English vice-consul, as a mediator, the following terms
were finally committed to paper, and sent to the Dey by an interpreter.

"1. The fort of the Cassaubah, with all the other forts dependent on
Algiers, and the harbor, shall be placed in the hands of the French
troops the 5th of July, at 10 o'clock, A.M.

"2. The general-in-chief of the French army ensures the Dey of Algiers
personal liberty, and all his private property.

"3. The Dey shall be free to retire with his family and wealth wherever
he pleases. While he remains at Algiers he and his family shall be under
the protection of the commander-in-chief. A guard shall insure his
safety, and that of his family.

"4. The same advantages, and same protection are assured to all the
soldiers of the militia.

"5. The exercise of the Mohammedan religion shall remain free; the
liberty of the inhabitants of all classes, their religion, property,
commerce, and industry shall receive no injury; their women shall be
respected: the general takes this on his own responsibility.

"6. The ratification of this convention to be made before 10 A.M., on the
5th of July, and the French troops immediately after to take possession
of the Cassaubah, and other forts."

These terms were so much more favorable than the Dey could have
expected, that, of course, not a moment was lost in signifying his
acceptance: he only begged to be allowed two hours more to get himself
and his goods out of the Cassaubah, and these were readily granted. It
may, indeed, be wondered at that he and his Janissaries should be
allowed to retain all their ill-gotten booty, under the name of private
property; but Count de Bourmont, though not without talent, was
essentially a weak man, and was in this instance overreached by the wily
Moor. The whole of next morning an immense number of persons were seen
flying from Algiers, previous to the entry of the French army, and
carrying with them all their goods, valuables, and money. They fled by
the fort Bab-azoona, on the roads towards Constantina and Bleeda; and
about a hundred mounted Arabs were seen caracolling on the beach, as if
to cover their retreat. No opposition to it, however, was made by the
French troops, or by their navy, which had now again come in sight.

At twelve o'clock the general, with his staff, artillery, and a strong
guard, entered the Cassaubah, and at the same moment all the other forts
were taken possession of by French troops. No one appeared to make a
formal surrender, nor did any one present himself on the part of the
inhabitants, to inquire as to what protection they were to receive, yet,
on the whole, we believe the troops conducted themselves, at least on
this occasion, with signal forbearance; and that of the robberies which
took place, the greater number were perpetrated by Moors and Jews. One
was rather ingenious. The minister of finance had given up the public
treasures to commissioners regularly appointed for the purpose. Amongst
others, the mint was visited, a receipt given of its containing bullion
to the amount of 25,000 or 30,000 francs, the door sealed, and a sentry
placed. Next morning the seal was perfect, the sentry at his post, but
the bullion was gone through a small hole made in the back wall.

The amount of public property found in Algiers, and appropriated by the
French, was very considerable, and much more than repaid the expenses of
the expedition. The blockade of the last three years had, by
interrupting their commerce, caused an accumulation of the commodities
in which the Algerines generally paid their tribute, so that the
storehouses at the Cassaubah were abundantly filled with wool, hides,
leather, wax, lead and copper. Quantities of grain, silks, muslins, and
gold and silver tissues were also found, as well as salt, of which the
Dey had reserved to himself a monopoly, and, by buying it very cheap at
the Balearic Isles, used to sell it at an extravagant rate to his
subjects. The treasure alone amounted to nearly fifty million of francs,
and the cannon, projectiles, powder magazines, and military stores,
together with the public buildings, foundries, dock-yards, and vessels
in the harbor, were estimated at a still larger amount; while the entire
expense of the expedition, including land and sea service, together with
the maintenance of an army of occupation up to January, 1831, was
computed not to exceed 48,500,000 francs; so that France must have
realized, by her first connection with Algiers, a sum not far short of
£3,000,000 sterling--a larger amount, we will venture to say, than is
likely to accrue to her again, even after many years of colonization.

In a few days the Dey had embarked for Naples, which he chose as his
future place of residence; the Janissaries were sent in French vessels
to Constantinople; the Bey of Tippery made his submissions, and swore
allegiance to the French King; orders were issued, and laws enacted in
his name; the Arabs and Kalyles came into market as usual with their
fowl and game; a French soldier was tolerably safe, as long as he
avoided going to any distance beyond the outposts; and, on the whole,
Algiers the warlike, had assumed all the appearance of a French colony.




THE ADVENTURES, TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN GOW.


Captain Gow sailed from Amsterdam, in July, 1724, on board the George,
galley, for Santa Cruz, where they took in bees'-wax. Scarcely had they
sailed from that place, when Gow and several others, who had formed a
conspiracy, seized the vessel. One of the conspirators cried, "There is
a man overboard." The captain instantly ran to the side of the vessel,
when he was seized by two men, who attempted to throw him over; he
however so struggled, that he escaped from their hands. One Winter, with
a knife, attempted to cut him in the throat, but missing his aim, the
captain was yet saved. But Gow coming aft shot him through the body and
throwing him over the rail he caught hold of the main sheet; but Gow
taking up an axe, with two blows so disabled him that he fell into the
sea and was drowned. The conspirators proceeded to murder all who were
not in their horrid plot, which being done, James Williams came upon
deck, and striking one of the guns with his cutlass, saluted Gow in the
following words: "Captain Gow, you are welcome, welcome to your
command." Williams was declared lieutenant, and the other officers being
appointed, the captain addressed them, saying: "If, hereafter, I see any
of you whispering together, or if any of you refuse to obey my orders,
let every such man depend upon it, that he shall certainly go the same
way as those that are just gone before."

Their first prize was the Sarah Snow, of Bristol. After they had rifled
the vessel and received one man from it, they allowed her to prosecute
her voyage. The Delight, of Poole, was the next vessel that fell into
their hands; but they not long after captured two others, from one of
which they received a quantity of fish, and from the other bread, beef,
and pork. They also forced two men from the latter ship. A French ship,
not long after, furnished them with wine, oil, figs, oranges, and
lemons, to the value of 500_l_. In a short time after, they captured
their last prize, and, as she made no resistance, they plundered and
dismissed her.

They next sailed for the Orkney Isles to clean, but were apprehended by
a gentleman of that country, brought up to London, and tried before a
Court of Admiralty, in May, 1725. When the first indictment was read,
Gow obstinately refused to plead, for which the Court ordered his thumbs
to be tied together with whipcord. The punishment was several times
repeated by the executioner and another officer, they drawing the cord
every time till it broke. But he still being stubborn, refusing to
submit to the court, the sentence was pronounced against him, which the
law appoints in such cases; that is, "That he should be taken back to
prison, and there pressed to death." The gaoler was then ordered to
conduct him back, and see that the sentence was executed the next
morning; meanwhile the trials of the prisoners, his companions, went
forward.

But the next morning, when the press was prepared, pursuant to the order
of the Court the day before, he was so terrified with the apprehension
of dying in that manner, that he sent his humble petition to the Court,
praying that he might be admitted to plead. This request being granted,
he was brought again to the bar, and arraigned upon the first
indictment, to which he pleaded Not guilty. Then the depositions that
had been given against the other prisoners were repeated, upon which he
was convicted, and received the sentence of death accordingly, which he
suffered in company with Captain Weaver and William Ingham.

[Illustration: _Gow killing the Captain._]

The stories of these two men are so interwoven with others, that it
will be impossible to distinguish many of their particular actions. They
were, however, proved to have been concerned, if not the principal
actors, in the following piracies: first, the seizing a Dutch ship in
August, 1722, and taking from thence a hundred pieces of Holland, value
800_l_.; a thousand pieces of eight, value 250_l_. Secondly, the
entering and pillaging the Dolphin of London, William Haddock, out of
which they got three hundred pieces of eight, value 75_l_.; forty
gallons of rum, and other things, on the twentieth of November in the
same year. Thirdly, the stealing out of a ship called the Don Carlos,
Lot Neekins, master, four hundred ounces of silver, value 100_l_. fifty
gallons of rum, value 30_s_. a thousand pieces of eight, a hundred
pistoles, and other valuable goods. And fourthly, the taking from a ship
called the England, ten pipes of wine, value 250_l_. The two last
charges both in the year 1721. Weaver returned home, and came to Mr.
Thomas Smith, at Bristol, in a very ragged condition; and pretending
that he had been robbed by pirates, Smith, who had been acquainted with
him eight or nine years before, provided him with necessaries, and he
walked about unmolested for some time. But Captain Joseph Smith, who
knew him when a pirate, one day met him, and asked him to go and take a
bottle with him; when they were in the tavern he told him that he had
been a considerable sufferer by his boarding his vessel "therefore,"
said he, "as I understand that you are in good circumstances, I expect
that you will make me some restitution; which if you do, I will never
hurt a hair of your head, because you were very civil to me when I was
in your hands." But as this recompense was never given. Weaver was
apprehended and executed.




  PIRATE'S SONG.

  To the mast nail our flag it is dark as the grave,
  Or the death which it bears while it sweeps o'er the wave;
  Let our deck clear for action, our guns be prepared;
  Be the boarding-axe sharpened, the scimetar bared:
  Set the canisters ready, and then bring to me,
  For the last of my duties, the powder-room key.
  It shall never be lowered, the black flag we bear;
  If the sea be denied us, we sweep through the air.
  Unshared have we left our last victory's prey;
  It is mine to divide it, and yours to obey:
  There are shawls that might suit a sultana's white neck,
  And pearls that are fair as the arms they will deck;
  There are flasks which, unseal them, the air will disclose
  Diametta's fair summers, the home of the rose.
  I claim not a portion: I ask but as mine--
  'Tis to drink to our victory--one cup of red wine.
  Some fight, 'tis for riches--some fight, 'tis for fame:
  The first I despise, and the last is a name.
  I fight, 'tis for vengeance! I love to see flow,
  At the stroke of my sabre, the life of my foe.
  I strike for the memory of long-vanished years;
  I only shed blood where another shed tears,
  I come, as the lightning comes red from above,
  O'er the race that I loathe, to the battle I love.

FINIS.



INDEX

Algerine pirates

Allen, Lieutenant

Arabian coast

Arabian pirates

Avery, Capt. Henry

Bahamas

Bainbridge, Commodore

Baltic Sea pirates

Banister, Captain

Barbary corsairs

Barrataria, La., pirates

Benavides, Vincent

Black Beard

Bonnet, Major

Bonney, Anne, female pirate

Boston, Mass

Booth, Capt. George

Bowen, Captain

Bracket, Joshua

Charleston, S. C

Chesapeake, frigate

Chilian pirates

Chinese pirates

Ching, Mistress, female pirate

Condent, Captain

Corsairs of the African coast

Crusades

Danish and Norman pirates

Davis, Capt Howel

Decatur, Commodore

De Soto, Bernardo

Dew, Capt. George

Dungeon Rock, Lynn, Mass

Dutch girl kept by pirates

East India Company

East India piracies

England, Capt. Edward

England attacks the Algerines

England overrun by pirates

Female pirates

France ravaged by pirates

French attack Algiers

"Friendship" (ship), piracy of

Germany ravaged by pirates

Gibbs, Capt. Charles

Gibraltar, pirates at

Gibson, Captain

Gilbert, Pedro

Glasspoole, Richard, captured by pirates

Gow, Captain

Guinea coast, pirates on

Halsey, Capt John

Havana, resort for pirates

"Herculia" (brig), piracy of

Hornigold, Capt. Benjamin

Jackson, Captain

Jackson, General

Joassamee pirates

Jonnia, Captain

Kearney, Lieutenant

Kidd, Capt. Robert

Ladrone pirates

Lafitte, Jean

Lewis, Captain

Lincoln, Captain

Low, Capt. Edward

Lynn, Mass., pirates

Mackra, Captain, captured

Madagascar pirates

Malay pirates

Maynard, Lieutenant

Mediterranean, a resort for pirates

"Mexican" (brig), piracy of

Mogul's ships

"Morning Star" (ship), piracy of

Newfoundland, piracy at

New Orleans, battle of

New York, pirates at

Norman pirates

North Carolina coast

Oakley, William

"Panda" (schooner)

Patterson, Commodore, expedition under

Pirate vessel, description of

Pirates, cruelty of

  Dress of

  Executions of

  Song of

  Trials of

Pirate's Glen, Saugus

Privateering on English coast

Porter, Commodore

"Potomac" (frigate), attacks Malay pirates

Quallah Battoo, Sumatra, pirates of

Rackam, Capt. John

Rahmah-ben-Jabir

Ras-el-Khyma

Read, Mary, female pirate

Read, Capt. William

Ricker, Captain

Roberts, Capt. Bartholomew

Rogers, Capt. Woods

Ruiz, Francisco

Rumps, Arabia

Salem, pirates in

Skinner, Captain, murdered

Soto, Benito de

Spanish pirates

Sumatra pirates

"Swallow" (man-of-war), captures pirates

Swedish pirates

Teach, Edward

Texan privateers

Tew, Capt. Thomas

United States attacks Algiers

Vane, Capt. Charles

Veal, Thomas

"Vineyard" (brig), captured

Warren, David

West Indies, piracy in

White, Capt. Thomas