A General History of the Pyrates Part 12

_Indian Corn_, is likewise as well as the _Farine de Manyoco_ and Rice, the common Victualling of our Slave Ships, and is afforded here at 1000 Heads for two Dollars. This Corn grows eight or nine Foot high, on a hard Reed or Stick, shooting forth at every six Inches Heighth, some long Leaves; it has always an Ear, or rather Head, at top, of, perhaps, 400 Fold Increase; and often two, three, or more, Midway.

Here are some Tamarind Trees; another called _Cola_, whose Fruit, or Nut (about twice the Bigness of a Chestnut, and bitter) is chewed by the _Portugueze_, to give a sweet Gust to their Water which they drink; but above all, I was shewn the Bark of one (whose Name I do not know) gravely affirm'd to have a peculiar Property of enlarging the Virile Member; I am not fond of such Conceits, nor believe it in the Power of any Vegetables, but must acknowledge, I have seen Sights of this kind among the Negroes very extraordinary; yet, that there may be no Wishes among the Ladies for the Importation of this Bark, I must acquaint them, that they are found to grow less merry, as they encrease in Bulk. I had like to have forgot their Cinnamon Trees; there is only one Walk of them, and is the Entrance of the Governor's Villa; they thrive extreemly well, and the Bark not inferior to our Cinnamon from _India_; why they and other Spice, in a Soil so proper, receive no farther Cultivation, is, probably, their Suspicion, that so rich a Produce, might make some potent Neighbour take a Fancy to the Island.

They have two Winters, or rather Springs, and two Summers: Their Winters, which are the rainy Seasons, come in _September_ and _February_, or _March_, and hold two Months, returning that Fatness and generative Power to the Earth, as makes it yield a double Crop every Year, with little Sweat or Labour.

_Hic Ver a.s.siduum atque Alienis Mensibus aestas --Bis gravidae Pecudes, bis Pomis utilis arbos_.

Their first coming is with _Travado_'s, _i. e._ sudden and hard Gusts of Wind, with Thunder, Lightning and heavy Showers, but short; and the next new or full Moon at those Times of the Year, infallibly introduces the Rains, which once begun, fall with little Intermission, and are observed coldest in _February_. Similar to these are rainy Seasons also over all the Coast of _Africa_: If there may be allowed any general Way of calculating their Time, they happen from the Course of the Sun, as it respects the _aequinoctial_ only; for if these _aequinoxes_ prove rainy Seasons all over the World (as I am apt to think they are) whatever secret Cause operates with that Station of the Sun to produce them, will more effectually do it in those vicine Lat.i.tudes; and therefore, as the Sun advances, the Rains are brought on the _Whydah_ and Gold Coast, by _April_, and on the Windwardmost Part of _Guiney_ by _May_: The other Season of the Sun's returning to the Southward, make them more uncertain and irregular in Northern _Africa_; but then to the Southward again, they proceed in like manner, and are at Cape _Lopez_ in _October_, at _Angola_ in _November_, &c.

The Manner of living among the _Portugueze_ here is, with the utmost Frugality and Temperance, even to Penury and Starving; a familiar Instance of Proof is, in the Voracity of their Dogs, who finding such clean Cupboards at home, are wild in a manner with Hunger, and tare up the Graves of the Dead for Food, as I have often seen: They themselves are lean with Covetousness, and that Christian Vertue, which is often the Result of it, Selfdenyal; and would train up their Cattle in the same way, could they fetch as much Money, or had not they their Provision more immediately of Providence. The best of them (excepting the Governor now and then) neither pay nor receive any Visits of Escapade or Recreation; they meet and sit down at each others Doors in the Street every Evening, and as few of them, in so small an Island, can have their Plantations at any greater Distance, than that they may see it every Day if they will, so the Subject of their Talk is mostly how Affairs went there, with their Negroes, or their Ground, and then part with one another innocently, but empty.

The Negroes have yet no hard Duty with them, they are rather Happy in Slavery; for as their Food is chiefly Vegetables, that could no way else be expended, there is no Murmurs bred on that account; and as their Business is Domestick, either in the Services of the House, or in Gardening, Sowing, or Planting, they have no more than what every Man would prefer for Health and Pleasure; the hardest of their Work is the Carriage of their Pateroons, or their Wives, to and from the Plantations; this they do in Hammocks (call'd at _Whydah, Serpentines_) slung cross a Pole, with a Cloath over, to screen the Person, so carried, from Sun and Weather, and the Slaves are at each End; and yet even this, methinks, is better than the specious Liberty a Man has for himself and his Heirs to work in a Coal Mine.

The Negroes are, most of them, thro' the Care of their Patroons, Christians, at least nominal, but excepting to some few, they adhere still to many silly Pagan Customs in their Mournings and Rejoycings, and in some Measure, powerful Majority has introduced them with the Vulgar of the _Mulatto_ and _Portugueze_ Race.

If a Person die in that Colour, the Relations and Friends of him meet at the House, where the Corpse is laid out decently on the Ground and covered (all except the Face) with a Sheet; they sit round it, crying and howling dreadfully, not unlike what our Countrymen are said to do in _Ireland_: This Mourning lasts for eight Days and Nights, but not equally intense, for as the Friends, who compose the Chorus, go out and in, are weary, and unequally affected, the Tone lessens daily, and the Intervals of Grief are longer.

In Rejoycings and Festivals they are equally ridiculous; these are commonly made on some Friend's Escape from Shipwreck, or other Danger: They meet in a large Room of the House, with a Strum Strum, to which one of the Company, perhaps, sings wofully; the rest standing round the Room close to the Pet.i.tions, take it in their Turns (one or two at a time) to step round, called Dancing, the whole clapping their Hands continually, and hooping out every Minute _Abeo_, which signify no more, than, _how do you_. And this foolish Mirth will continue three or four Days together at a House, and perhaps twelve or sixteen Hours at a time.

The _Portugueze_, tho' eminently abstemious and temperate in all other Things, are unbounded in their l.u.s.ts; and perhaps they subst.i.tute the former in room of a Surgeon, as a Counterpoison to the Mischiefs of a promiscuous Salacity: They have most of them Venereal Taints, and with Age become meager and hectick: I saw two Instances here of Venereal Ulcers that had cancerated to the Bowels, Spectacles that would have effectually perswaded Men (I think) how Salutary the Restriction of Laws are.

_Ann.o.bono_ is the last, and of the least Consequence of the three Islands; there are Plenty of Fruits and Provisions, exchanged to Ships for old Cloaths and Trifles of any Sort; they have a Governor nominated from St.

_Thome_, and two or three Priests, neither of which are minded, every one living at Discretion, and fill'd with Ignorance and l.u.s.t.

To return to _Davis_, the next Day after he left _Anamaboe_, early in the Morning, the Man at the Mast-Head espied a Sail. It must be observed, they keep a good Look-out; for, according to their Articles, he who first espies a Sail, if she proves a Prize, is ent.i.tled to the best Pair of Pistols on Board, over and above his Dividend, in which they take a singular Pride; and a Pair of Pistols has sometimes been sold for thirty Pounds, from one to another.

Immediately they gave Chace, and soon came up with her; the Ship proved to be a _Hollander_, and being betwixt _Davis_ and the Sh.o.r.e, she made all the Sail she could, intending to run aground; _Davis_ guessed her Design, and putting out all his small Sails, came up with her before she could effect it, and fired a Broad-side, upon which she immediately struck, and called for Quarter. It was granted, for according to _Davis_'s Articles, it was agreed, that Quarter should be given whenever it was called for, upon Pain of Death. This Ship proved a very rich Prize, having the Governor of _Acra_ on Board, with all his Effects, going to _Holland_; there was in Money to the Value of 15000 _l._ Sterling, besides other valuable Merchandizes, all which they brought on Board of themselves.

Upon this new Success, they restored Captain _Hall_ and Captain _Plumb_, before-mentioned, their Ships again, but strengthened their Company with thirty five Hands, all white Men, taken out of these two and the _Morrice_ Sloop; they also restored the _Dutch_ their Ship, after having plunder'd her, as is mentioned.

Before they got to the Island of _Princes_, one of their Ships, _viz._ that call'd the _King James_, sprung a Leak; _Davis_ order'd all Hands out of her, on Board his own Ship, with every thing else of Use, and left her at an Anchor at _High Cameroon_. As soon as he came in Sight of the Island, he hoisted _English_ Colours; the _Portuguese_ observing a large Ship sailing towards them, sent out a little Sloop to examine what she might be; this Sloop hailing of _Davis_, he told them he was an _English_ Man of War, in Quest of Pyrates, and that he had received Intelligence there were some upon that Coast; upon this they received him as a welcome Guest, and piloted him into the Harbour. He saluted the Fort, which they answered, and he came to an Anchor just under their Guns, and hoisted out the Pinnace, Man of War Fashion, ordering nine Hands and a c.o.xen in it, to row him ash.o.r.e.

The _Portugueze_, to do him the greater Honour, sent down a File of Musqueteers to receive him, and conduct him to the Governor. The Governor not in the least suspecting what he was, received him very civilly, promising to supply him with whatever the Island afforded; _Davis_ thanked him, telling him, the King of _England_ would pay for whatever he should take; so after several Civilities pa.s.s'd between him and the Governor, he returned again on Board.

It happened a _French_ Ship came in there to supply it self with some Necessaries, which _Davis_ took into his Head to plunder, but to give the Thing a Colour of Right, he persuaded the _Portugueze_, that she had been trading with the Pyrates, and that he found several Pyrates Goods on Board, which he seized for the King's Use: This Story pa.s.sed so well upon the Governor, that he commended _Davis_'s Diligence.

A few Days after, _Davis_, with about fourteen more, went privately ash.o.r.e, and walk'd up the Country towards a Village, where the Governor and the other chief Men of the Island kept their Wives, in tending, as we may suppose, to supply their Husbands Places with them; but being discovered, the Women fled to a neighbouring Wood, and _Davis_ and the rest retreated to their Ship, without effecting their Design: The Thing made some Noise, but as no body knew them, it pa.s.sed over.

Having cleaned his Ship, and put all Things in Order, his Thoughts now were turned upon the main Business, _viz._ the Plunder of the Island, and not knowing where the Treasure lay, a Stratagem came into his Head, to get it (as he thought) with little Trouble, he consulted his Men upon it, and they liked the Design: His Scheme was, to make a Present to the Governor, of a Dozen Negroes, by Way of Return for the Civilities received from him, and afterwards to invite him, with the chief Men, and some of the Friers, on Board his Ship, to an Entertainment; the Minute they came on Board, they were to be secured in Irons, and there kept till they should pay a Ransom of 40000 _l._ Sterling.

But this Stratagem proved fatal to him, for a _Portugueze_ Negroe swam ash.o.r.e in the Night, and discovered the whole Plot to the Governor, and also let him know, that it was _Davis_ who had made the Attempt upon their Wives. However, the Governor dissembled, received the Pyrates Invitation civilly, and promised that he and the rest would go.

The next Day _Davis_ went on Sh.o.r.e himself, as if it were out of greater Respect to bring the Governor on Board: He was received with the usual Civility, and he, and other princ.i.p.al Pyrates, who, by the Way, had a.s.sumed the t.i.tle of Lords, and as such took upon them to advise or councel their Captain upon any important Occasion; and likewise held certain Priviledges, which the common Pyrates were debarr'd from, as walking the Quarter-Deck, using the great Cabin, going ash.o.r.e at Pleasure, and treating with foreign Powers, that is, with the Captains of Ships they made Prize of; I say, _Davis_ and some of the Lords were desired to walk up to the Governor's House, to take some Refreshment before they went on Board; they accepted it without the least Suspicion, but never returned again; for an Ambuscade was laid, a Signal being given, a whole Volley was fired upon them; they every Man dropp'd, except one, this one fled back, and escaped into the Boat, and got on Board the Ship: _Davis_ was shot through the Bowels, yet he rise again, and made a weak Effort to get away, but his Strength soon forsook him, and he dropp'd down dead; just as he fell, he perceived he was followed, and drawing out his Pistols, fired them at his Pursuers; Thus like a game c.o.c.k, giving a dying Blow, that he might not fall unrevenged.

CHAP. IX. OF Captain _Bartho. Roberts_, And his CREW.

B_Artholomew Roberts_ sailed in an honest Employ, from _London_ aboard of the _Princess_, Captain _Plumb_ Commander, of which Ship he was second Mate: He left _England, November_ 1719, and arrived at _Guiney_ about _February_ following, and being at _Anamaboe_, taking in Slaves for the _West-Indies_, was taken in the said Ship by Captain _Howel Davis_, as mentioned in the preceeding Chapter. In the beginning he was very averse to this sort of Life, and would certainly have escaped from them, had a fair Opportunity presented it self; yet afterwards he changed his Principles, as many besides him have done upon another Element, and perhaps for the same Reason too, _viz._ Preferment,--and what he did not like as a private Man he could reconcile to his Conscience as a Commander.

_Davis_ being cut off in the manner beforementioned, the Company found themselves under a Necessity of filling up his Post, for which there appear'd two or three Candidates among the select Part of them, that were distinguish'd by the t.i.tle of Lords, such were _Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis_, &c. and on canva.s.sing this Matter, how shatter'd and weak a Condition their Government must be without a Head, since _Davis_ had been remov'd, in the manner beforemention'd, my Lord _Dennis_ propos'd, its said, over a Bowl to this Purpose.

_That it was not of any great Signification who was dignify'd with t.i.tle; for really and in Truth, all good Governments had_ (_like theirs_) _the supream Power lodged with the Community, who might doubtless depute and revoke as suited Interest or Humour. We are the Original of this Claim_ (says he) _and should a Captain be so sawcy as to exceed Prescription at any time_, why down with Him! _it will be a Caution after he is dead to his Successors, of what fatal Consequence any sort of a.s.suming may be. However, it is my Advice, that, while we are sober, we pitch upon a Man of Courage, and skill'd in Navigation, one, who by his Council and Bravery seems best able to defend this Commonwealth, and ward us from the Dangers and Tempests of an instable Element, and the fatal Consequences of Anarchy; and such a one I take_ Roberts _to be. A Fellow! I think, in all Respects, worthy your Esteem and Favour_.

This Speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord _Sympson_, who had secret Expectations himself, but on this Disappointment, grew sullen, and left them, swearing, _he did not care who they chose Captain, so it was not a Papist, for against them he had conceiv'd an irreconcileable Hatred, for that his Father had been a Sufferer in_ Monmouth_'s Rebellion_.

_Roberts_ was accordingly elected, tho' he had not been above six Weeks among them, the Choice was confirm'd both by the Lords and Commoners, and he accepted of the Honour, saying, _That since he had dipp'd his Hands in muddy Water, and must be a Pyrate, it was better being a Commander than a common Man_.

As soon as the Government was settled, by promoting other Officers in the room of those that were kill'd by the _Portugueze_, the Company resolv'd to revenge Captain _Davis_'s Death, he being more than ordinarily respected by the Crew for his Affability and good Nature, as well as his Conduct and Bravery upon all Occasions; and pursuant to this Resolution, about 30 Men were landed in order to make an Attack upon the Fort, which must be ascended to by a steep Hill against the Mouth of the Cannon. These Men were headed by one _Kennedy_, a bold daring Fellow, but very wicked and profligate; they march'd directly up under the Fire of their Ship Guns, and as soon as they were discover'd, the _Portugueze_ quitted their Post and fled to the Town, and the Pyrates march'd in without Opposition, set Fire to the Fort, and threw all the Guns off the Hill into the Sea, which after they had done, they retreated quietly to their Ship.

But this was not look'd upon as a sufficient Satisfaction for the Injury they received, therefore most of the Company were for burning the Town, which _Roberts_ said he would yield to, if any Means could be proposed of doing it without their own Destruction, for the Town had a securer Scituation than the Fort, a thick Wood coming almost close to it, affording Cover to the Defendants, who under such an Advantage, he told them, it was to be fear'd, would fire and stand better to their Arms; besides, that bare Houses would be but a slender Reward for their Trouble and Loss. This prudent Advice prevailed; however, they mounted the _French_ Ship, they seiz'd at this Place, with 12 Guns, and light'ned her, in order to come up to the Town, the Water being shoal, and battered down several Houses; after which they all returned on Board, gave back the _French_ Ship to those that had most Right to her, and sailed out of the Harbour by the light of two _Portuguese_ Ships, which they were pleased to set on Fire there.

_Roberts_ stood away to the Southward, and met with a _Dutch Guiney_ Man, which he made Prize of, but after having plundered her, the Skipper had his Ship again: Two Days after, he took an _English_ Ship, called the _Experiment_, Captain _Cornet_, at _Cape Lopez_, the Men went all into the Pyrate Service, and having no Occasion for the Ship, they burnt her, and then steered for St. _Thome_, but meeting with nothing in their Way, they sailed for _Annabona_, and there water'd, took in Provisions, and put it to a Vote of the Company, whether their next Voyage should be, to the _East-Indies_, or to _Brasil_; the latter being resolved on, they sailed accordingly, and in 28 Days arrived at _Ferdinando_, an uninhabited Island, on that Coast: Here they water'd, boot-top'd their Ship, and made ready for the designed Cruise.

Now that we are upon this Coast, I think it will be the proper Place to present our Readers with a Description of this Country, and some ingenious Remarks of a Friend, how beneficial a Trade might be carried on here by our _West-India_ Merchants, at a little Hazard.

A DESCRIPTION OF _BRASIL_, &c.

B_RASIL_ (a Name signifying the holy Cross) was discovered for the King of _Portugal_, by _Alvarez Cabral, Ann. Dom._ 1501. extending almost from the _aequinoctial_ to 28 South. The Air is temperate and cool, in comparison of the _West-Indies_, from stronger Breezes and an opener Country, which gives less Interruption to the Winds.

The northernmost Part of it stretching about 180 Leagues, (a fine fertile Country,) was taken from the _Portuguese_ by the _Dutch West-India_ Company, _Anno._ 1637 or thereabouts; but the Conquerors, as is natural where there is little or no Religion subsisting, made such heavy Exactions on the _Portuguese_, and extended such Cruelty to the Natives, that prepared them both easily to unite for a Revolt, facilitated by the _Dutch_ Mismanagement: For the States being at this Time very intent on their _India_ Settlements, not only recalled Count _Morrice_ their Governor, but neglected Supplies to their Garrisons; however, tho' the others were countenanced with a Fleet from _Portugal_, and had the Affection of the Natives, yet they found Means to withstand and struggle with this superior Power, from 1643 to 1660, and then was wholly abandoned by them, on Articles dishonourable to the _Portuguese_, viz.

That the _Dutch_, on Relinquishing, should keep all the Places they had conquered in _India_ from _Portugal_. That they should pay the States 800000 _l._ and permit them still the Liberty of Trade to _Africa_ and _Brasil_, on the same Custom and Duties with the King of _Portugal_'s Subjects. But since that Time, new Stipulations and Treaties have been made; wherein the _Dutch_, who have been totally excluded the _Brasil_ Trade, have, in lieu thereof, a Composition of 10 _per Cent_. for the Liberty of trading to _Africa_; and this is always left by every _Portuguese_ Ship (before she begins her Slaving) with the _Dutch_ General of the _Gold-Coast_, at _Des Minas_.

There are only three princ.i.p.al Towns of Trade on the _Brasil_ Coast, St.

_Salvadore_, St. _Sebastian_, and _Pernambuca_.

St. _Salvadore_ in the _Bahia los todos Santos_, is an Archbishop.r.i.c.k and Seat of the Viceroy, the chief Port of Trade for Importation, where most of the Gold from the Mines is lodged, and whence the Fleets for _Europe_ generally depart. The Seas about it abound with Whale-Fish, which in the Season they catch in great Numbers; the Flesh is salted up generally to be the Victualling of their Slave-Ships, and the Train reserved for Exportation, at 30 and 35 Millrays a Pipe.

_Rio Janeiro (_the Town St. _Sebastian)_ is the Southernmost of the _Portuguese_, the worst provided of Necessaries, but commodious for a Settlement, because nigh the Mine, and convenient to supervise the Slaves, who, as I have been told, do usually allow their Master a Dollar _per Diem_, and have the Overplus of their Work (if any) to themselves.

The Gold from hence is esteemed the best, (for being of a copperish Colour,) and they have a Mint to run it into Coin, both here and at _Bahia_; the Moidors of either having the initial Letters of each Place upon them.

_Pernambuca_ (tho' mention'd last) is the second in Dignity, a large and populous Town, and has its rise from the Ruins of _Olinda_, (or the handsome,) a City of a far pleasanter Situation, six Miles up the River, but not so commodious for Traffick and Commerce. Just above the Town the River divides it self into two Branches, not running directly into the Sea, but to the Southward; and in the Nook of the Island made by that Division, stands the Governor's House, a square plain Building of Prince _Maurice_'s, with two Towers, on which are only this Date inscribed, _Anno_ 1641. The Avenues to it are every way pleasant, thro' Visto's of tall Coco-Nut Trees.

Over each Branch of the River is a Bridge; that leading to the Country is all of Timber, but the other to the Town (of twenty six or twenty eight Arches) is half of Stone, made by the _Dutch_, who in their Time had little Shops and gaming Houses on each Side for Recreation.

The Pavements also of the Town are in some Places of broad Tiles, the remaining Fragments of their Conquest. The Town has the outer Branch of the River behind it, and the Harbour before it, jetting into which latter are close Keys for the weighing and receiving of Customage on Merchandize, and for the meeting and conferring of Merchants and Traders. The Houses are strong built, but homely, letticed like those of _Lisbon_, for the Admission of Air, without Closets, and what is worse, Hearths; which makes their Cookery consist all in frying and stewing upon Stoves; and that they do till the Flesh become tender enough to shake it to Pieces, and one Knife is then thought sufficient to serve a Table of half a Score.

The greatest Inconvenience of _Pernambuca_ is, that there is not one Publick-House in it; so that Strangers are obliged to hire any ordinary one they can get, at a Guinea a Month: And others who come to transact Affairs of Importance, must come recommended, if it were only for the sake of Privacy.

The Market is stocked well enough, Beef being at five Farthings _per l_. a Sheep or Goat at nine Shillings, a Turkey four Shillings, and Fowls two Shillings, the largest I ever saw, and may be procured much Cheaper, by hiring a Man to fetch them out of the Country. The dearest in its kind is Water, which being fetch'd in Vessels from _Olinda_, will not be put on Board in the Road under two Crusado's a Pipe.

The _Portuguese_ here are darker than those of _Europe_, not only from a warmer Climate, but their many Intermarriages with the Negroes, who are numerous there, and some of them of good Credit and Circ.u.mstances. The Women (not unlike the Mulatto Generation every where else) are fond of Strangers; not only the Courtezans, whose Interest may be supposed to wind up their Affections, but also the marryed Women who think themselves obliged, when you favour them with the Secrecy of an Appointment; but the Unhappiness of pursuing Amours, is, that the generallity of both s.e.xes are touched with veneral Taints, without so much as one Surgeon among them, or any Body skilled in Physick, to cure or palliate the progressive Mischief: The only Person pretending that Way, is an _Irish_ Father, whose Knowledge is all comprehended in the Virtues of two or three Simples, and those, with the Salubrity of the Air and Temperance, is what they depend on, for subduing the worst of Malignity; and it may not be unworthy Notice, that tho' few are exempted from the Misfortune of a Running, Eruptions, or the like, yet I could hear of none precipitated into those deplorable Circ.u.mstances we see common in unskillful mercurial Processes.

There are three Monasteries, and about six Churches, none of them Rich or Magnificent, unless one dedicated to St. _Antonio_, the Patron of their Kingdom, which shines all over with exquisite Pieces of Paint and Gold.

The Export of _Brasil_ (besides Gold) is chiefly Sugars and Tobacco; the latter are sent off in Rowls of a Quintal Weight, kept continually moistened with Mulossus, which, with the Soil it springs from, imparts a strong and peculiar Scent, more sensible in the Snuff made from it, which tho' under Prohibition of importing to _Lisbon_, sells here at 2 _s. per l_. as the Tobacco does at about 6 Millraies a Rowl. The finest of their Sugars sells at 8 _s. per_ Roove, and a small ill tasted Rum drawn from the Dregs and Mulossus, at two Testunes a Gallon.

Besides these, they send off great Quant.i.ties of Brasil Wood, and Whale Oyl, some Gums and Parrots, the latter are different from the _African_ in Colour and Bigness, for as they are blue and larger, these are green and smaller; and the Females of them ever retain the wild Note, and cannot be brought to talk.