A General History of the Pyrates Part 13

In lieu of this Produce, the _Portugueze_, once every Year by their Fleet from _Lisbon_, import all manner of European Commodities; and whoever is unable or negligent of supplying himself at that Season, buys at a very advanced Rate, before the Return of another.

To transport Pa.s.sengers, Slaves, or Merchandize from one Settlement to another, or in Fishing; they make use of Bark-Logs, by the _Brasilians_ called _Jingadahs_: They are made of four Pieces of Timber (the two outermost longest) pinned and fastened together, and sharpened at the Ends: Towards each Extremity a Stool is fixed to sit on for paddling, or holding by, when the Agitation is more than ordinary; with these odd sort of Engines, continually washed over by the Water, do these People, with a little triangular Sail spreeted about the Middle of it, venture out of Sight of Land, and along the Coasts for many Leagues, in any sort of Weather; and if they overset with a Squall (which is not uncommon) they swim and presently turn it up right again.

The Natives are of the darkest Copper Colour, with thin Hair, of a square strong make, and muscular; but not so well looking as the Wooley Generation: They acquiesce patiently to the _Portugueze_ Government, who use them much more humanly and Christian-like than the _Dutch_ did, and by that Means have extended Quietness and Peace, as well as their Possessions, three or four hundred Miles into the Country. A Country abounding with fine Pastures and numerous Herds of Cattle, and yields a vast Increase from every thing that is sown: Hence they bring down to us Parrots, small Monkies, Armadillos and Sanguins, and I have been a.s.sured, they have, (far In-land,) a Serpent of a vast Magnitude, called _Siboya_, able, they say, to swallow a whole Sheep; I have seen my self here the Skin of another Specie full six Yards long, and therefore think the Story not improbable.

The Harbour of _Pernambuca_ is, perhaps, singular, it is made of a Ledge of Rocks, half a Cables length from the Main, and but little above the Surface of the Water, running at that equal Distance and Heighth several Leagues, towards Cape _Augustine_, a Harbour running between them capable of receiving Ships of the greatest Burthen: The Northermost End of this Wall of Rock, is higher than any Part of the contiguous Line, on which a little Fort is built, commanding the Pa.s.sage either of Boat or Ship, as they come over the Bar into the Harbour: On the Starboard Side, (_i. e._ the Main) after you have entered a little way, stands another Fort (a _Pentagon_) that would prove of small Account, I imagine, against a few disciplined Men; and yet in these consists all their Strength and Security, either for the Harbour or Town: They have begun indeed a Wall, since their removing from _Olinda_, designed to surround the latter; but the slow Progress they make in raising it, leaves Room to suspect 'twill be a long time in finishing.

The Road without, is used by the _Portugueze_, when they are nigh sailing for _Europe_, and wait for the Convoy, or are bound to _Bahia_ to them, and by Strangers only when Necessity compels; the best of it is in ten Fathom Water, near three Miles W. N. W. from the Town; nigher in, is foul with the many Anchors lost there by the _Portugueze_ Ships; and farther out (in 14 Fathom) corally and Rocky. _July_ is the worst and Winter Season of this Coast, the Trade Winds being then very strong and dead, bringing in a prodigious and unsafe Swell into the Road, intermixed every Day with Squalls, Rain, and a hazey Horizon, but at other times serener Skies and Sunshine.

In these Southern Lat.i.tudes is a Constellation, which from some Resemblance it bears to a _Jerusalem_ Cross, has the Name of _Crosiers_, the brightest of this Hemisphere, and are observed by, as the North Star is in Northern Lat.i.tudes; but what I mention this for, is, to introduce the admirable Phaenomenon in these Seas of the Megellanick Clouds, whose Risings and Sittings are so regular, that I have been a.s.sured, the same Nocturnal Observations are made by them as by the Stars; They are two Clouds, small and whitish, no larger in Appearance than a Man's Hat, and are seen here in _July_ in the Lat.i.tude of 8 S. about four of the Clock in the Morning; if their Appearance should be said to be the Reflection of Light, from some Stellary Bodies above them, yet the Difficulty is not easily answered, how these, beyond others, become so durable and regular in their Motions.

From these casual Observations on the Country, the Towns, Coast, and Seas of _Brasil_, it would be an Omission to leave the Subject, without some Essay on an interloping Slave Trade here, which none of our Countrymen are adventurous enough to pursue, though it very probably, under a prudent Manager, would be attended with Safety and very great Profit; and I admire the more it is not struck at, because Ships from the Southern Coast of _Africa_, don't lengthen the Voyage to the _West-Indies_ a great deal, by taking a Part of _Brasil_ in their Way.

The Disadvantages the _Portugueze_ are under for purchasing Slaves, are these, that they have very few proper Commodities for _Guiney_, and the Gold, which was their chiefest, by an Edict in _July_ 1722, stands now prohibited from being carried thither, so that the Ships employed therein are few, and insufficient for the great Mortality and Call of their Mines; besides, should they venture at breaking so destructive a Law, as the abovementioned (as no doubt they do, or they could make little or no Purchace) yet Gold does not raise its Value like Merchandize in travelling (especially to _Africa_) and when the Composition with the _Dutch_ is also paid, they may be said to buy their Negroes at almost double the Price the _English, Dutch_, or _French_ do, which necessarily raises their Value extravagantly at _Brasil_; (those who can purchase one, buying a certainer Annuity than _South-Sea_ Stock.)

Thus far of the Call for Slaves at _Brasil_; I shall now consider and obviate some Difficulties objected against any Foreigners (suppose _English_) interposing in such a Trade, and they are some on theirs, and some on our Side.

On their Side it is prohibited under Pain of Death, a Law less effectual to the Prevention of it than pecuniary Mulcts would be, because a Penalty so inadequate and disproportioned, is only _In terrorem_, and makes it merciful in the Governor, or his Instruments, to take a Composition of eight or ten Moidors, when any Subject is catched, and is the common Custom so to do as often as they are found out.

On our Side it is Confiscation of what they can get, which considering, they have no Men of War to guard the Coast, need be very little, without supine Neglect and Carelessness.

I am a Man of War, or Privateer, and being in Want of Provisions, or in Search of Pyrates, put in to _Pernambuca_ for Intelligence, to enable me for the Pursuit: The Dread of Pyrates keeps every one off, till you have first sent an Officer, with the proper Compliments to the Governor, who immediately gives Leave for your buying every Necessary you are in want of, provided it be with Money, and not an Exchange of Merchandize, which is against the Laws of the Country.

On this first time of going on Sh.o.r.e, depends the success of the whole Affair, and requires a cautious and discreet Management in the Person entrusted: He will be immediately surrounded at landing with the great and the small Rabble, to enquire who? and whence he comes? and whether bound?

_&c._ and the Men are taught to answer, from _Guiney_, denying any thing of a Slave on Board, which are under Hatches, and make no Shew; nor need they, for those who have Money to lay out will conclude on that themselves.

By that time the Compliment is paid to the Governor, the News has spread all round the Town, and some Merchant addresses you, as a Stranger, to the Civility of his House, but privately desires to know what Negroes he can have, and what Price. A Governor may possibly use an Instrument in sifting this, but the Appearance of the Gentleman, and the Circ.u.mstance of being so soon engaged after leaving the other, will go a great way in forming a Man's Judgment, and leaves him no room for the Suspicion of such a Snare; however, to have a due Guard, Intimations will suffice, and bring him, and Friends enough to carry off the best Part of a Cargo in two Nights time, from 20 to 30 Moidors a Boy, and from 30 to 40 a Man Slave. The Hazard is less at _Rio Janeiro_.

There has been another Method attempted, of settling a Correspondence with some _Portugueze_ Merchant or two, who, as they may be certain within a Fortnight of any Vessels arriving on their Coast with Slaves, might settle Signals for the debarquing them at an unfrequented Part of the Coast, but whether any Exceptions were made to the Price, or that the _Portuguese_ dread Discovery, and the severest Prosecution on so notorious a Breach of the Law, I cannot tell but it has. .h.i.ther to proved abortive.

However, Stratagems laudable, and attended with Profit, at no other Hazard (as I can perceive) then loss of Time, are worth attempting; it is what is every Day practised with the _Spaniards_ from _Jamaica_.

Upon this Coast our Rovers cruiz'd for about nine Weeks, keeping generally out of Sight of Land, but without seeing a Sail, which discourag'd them so, that they determined to leave the Station, and steer for the _West-Indies_, and in order thereto, stood in to make the Land for the taking of their Departure, and thereby they fell in, unexpectedly, with a Fleet of 42 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 too waiting for two Men of War of 70 Guns each, their Convoy. However, _Roberts_ thought it should go hard with him, but he would make up his Market among them, and thereupon mix'd with the Fleet, and kept his Men hid till proper Resolutions could be form'd; that done, they came close up to one of the deepest, and ordered her to send the Master on Board quietly, threat'ning to give them no Quarters, if any Resistance, or Signal of Distress was made. The _Portuguese_ being surprized at these Threats, and the sudden flourish of Cutlashes from the Pyrates, submitted without a Word, and the Captain came on Board; _Roberts_ saluted him after a friendly manner, telling him, that they were Gentlemen of Fortune, but 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 immediate Death.

Whereupon this _Portuguese_ Master pointed to one of 40 Guns, and 150 Men, a Ship of greater Force than the _Rover_, but this no Ways dismayed them, _they were_ Portuguese, they said, and so immediately steered away for him.

When they came within Hail, the Master whom they had Prisoner, was ordered to ask, _how Seignior Capitain did_? And to invite him on Board, _for that he had a Matter of Consequence to impart to him_, which being done, he returned for Answer, _That he would wait upon him presently_: But by the Bustle that immediately followed, the Pyrates perceived, they were discovered, and that this was only a deceitful Answer to gain Time to put their Ship in a Posture of Defence; so without further Delay, they poured in a Broad-Side, boarded and grapled her; the Dispute was short and warm, wherein many of the _Portuguese_ fell, and two only of the Pyrates. By this Time the Fleet was alarmed, Signals of Top-gallant Sheets flying, and Guns fired, to give Notice to the Men of War, who rid still at an Anchor, and made but scurvy hast out to their a.s.sistance; and if what the Pyrates themselves related, be true, the Commanders of those Ships were blameable to the highest Degree, and unworthy the t.i.tle, or so much as the Name of Men: For _Roberts_ finding the Prize to sail heavy, and yet resolving not to loose her, lay by for the headmost of them _(_which much out sailed the other) and prepared for Battle, which was ignominiously declined, tho' of such superior Force; for not daring to venture on the Pyrate alone, he tarried so long for his Consort as gave them both time leisurely to make off.

They found this Ship exceeding rich, being laden chiefly with Sugar, Skins, and Tobacco, and in Gold 40000 Moidors, besides Chains and Trinckets, of considerable Value; particularly a Cross set with Diamonds, designed for the King of _Portugal_; which they afterwards presented to the Governor of _Caiana_, by whom they were obliged.

Elated with this Booty, they had nothing now to think of but some safe Retreat, where they might give themselves up to all the Pleasures that Luxury and Wantonness could bestow, and for the present pitch'd upon a Place called the _Devil_'s _Islands_, in the River of _Surinam_, on the Coast of _Caiana_, where they arrived, and found the civilest Reception imaginable, not only from the Governor and Factory, but their Wives, who exchanged Wares and drove a considerable Trade with them.

They seiz'd in this River a Sloop, and by her gained Intelligence, that a Brigantine had also sailed in Company with her, from _Rhode-Island_, laden with Provisions for the Coast. A Welcome Cargo! They growing short in the Sea Store, and as _Sancho_ says, _No Adventures to be made without Belly-Timber_. One Evening as they were rumaging (their Mine of Treasure) the _Portuguese_ Prize, this expected Vessel was descry'd at Mast-Head, and _Roberts_, imagining no Body could do the Business so well as himself, takes 40 Men in the Sloop, and goes in pursuit of her; but a fatal Accident followed this rash, tho' inconsiderable Adventure, for _Roberts_ thinking of nothing less than bringing in the Brigantine that Afternoon, never troubled his Head about the Sloop's Provision, nor inquired what there was on Board to subsist such a Number of Men; but out he sails after his expected Prize, which he not only lost further Sight of, but after eight Days contending with contrary Winds and Currents, found themselves thirty Leagues to Leeward. The Current still opposing their Endeavours, and perceiving no Hopes of beating up to their Ship, they came to an Anchor, and inconsiderately sent away the Boat to give the rest of the Company Notice of their Condition, and to order the Ship to them; but too soon, even the next Day, their Wants made them sensible of their Infatuation, for their Water was all expended, and they had taken no thought how they should be supply'd, till either the Ship came, or the Boat returned, which was not likely to be under five or six Days. Here like _Tantalus_, they almost famished in Sight of the fresh Streams and Lakes; being drove to such Extremity at last, that they were forc'd to tare up the Floor of the Cabin, and patch up a sort of Tub or Tray with Rope Yarns, to paddle ash.o.r.e, and fetch off immediate Supplies of Water to preserve Life.

After some Days, the long-wish'd-for Boat came back, but with the most unwellcome News in the World, for _Kennedy_, who was Lieutenant, and left in Absence of _Roberts_, to Command the Privateer and Prize, was gone off with both. This was Mortification with a Vengeance, and you may imagine, they did not depart without some hard Speeches from those that were left, and had suffered by their Treachery: And that there need be no further mention of this _Kennedy_, I shall leave Captain _Roberts_, for a Page or two, with the Remains of his Crew, to vent their Wrath in a few Oaths and Execrations, and follow the other, whom we may reckon from that Time, as steering his Course towards _Execution Dock_.

_Kennedy_ was now chosen Captain of the revolted Crew, but could not bring his Company to any determined Resolution; some of them were for pursuing the old Game, but the greater Part of them seem'd to have Inclinations to turn from those evil Courses, and get home privately, (for there was no Act of Pardon in Force,) therefore they agreed to break up, and every Man to shift for himself, as he should see Occasion. The first Thing they did, was to part with the great _Portugueze_ Prize, and having the Master of the Sloop (whose Name I think was _Cane_) aboard, who they said was a very honest Fellow, (for he had humoured them upon every Occasion,) told them of the Brigantine that _Roberts_ went after; and when the Pyrates first took him, he complemented them at an odd Rate, telling them they were welcome to his Sloop and Cargo, and wish'd that the Vessel had been larger, and the Loading richer for their Sakes: To this good natured Man they gave the _Portugueze_ Ship, (which was then above half loaded,) three or four Negroes, and all his own Men, who returned Thanks to his kind Benefactors, and departed.

Captain _Kennedy_ in the _Rover_, sailed to _Barbadoes_, near which Island, they took a very peaceable Ship belonging to _Virginia_; the Commander was a Quaker, whose Name was _Knot_; he had neither Pistol, Sword, nor Cutlash on Board; and Mr. _Knot_ appearing so very pa.s.sive to all they said to him, some of them thought this a good Opportunity to go off; and accordingly eight of the Pyrates went aboard, and he carried them safe to _Virginia_; They made the Quaker a Present of 10 Chests of Sugar, 10 Rolls of _Brasil_ Tobacco, 30 Moidors, and some Gold-Dust, in all to the value of about 250 _l._ They also made Presents to the Sailors, some more, some less, and lived a jovial Life all the while they were upon their Voyage, Captain _Knot_ giving them their Way; nor indeed could he help himself, unless he had taken an Opportunity to surprize them, when they were either drunk or asleep; for awake they wore Arms aboard the Ship, and put him in a continual Terror; it not being his Principle (or the Sect's) to fight, unless with Art and Collusion; he managed these Weapons well till he arrived at the Capes, and afterwards four of the Pyrates went off in a Boat, which they had taken with them, for the more easily making their Escapes, and made up the Bay towards _Maryland_, but were forced back by a Storm into an obscure Place of the Country, where meeting with good Entertainment among the Planters, they continued several Days without being discovered to be Pyrates. In the mean Time Captain _Knot_ leaving four others on Board his Ship, (who intended to go to _North-Carolina_,) made what hast he could to discover to Mr. _Spotswood_ the Governor, what sort of Pa.s.sengers he had been forced to bring with him, who by good Fortune got them seized; and Search being made after the others, who were revelling about the Country, they were also taken, and all try'd, convicted and hang'd, two _Portuguese_ Jews who were taken on the Coast of _Brasil_, and whom they brought with them to _Virginia_, being the princ.i.p.al Evidences.

The latter had found Means to lodge Part of their Wealth with the Planters, who never brought it to Account: But Captain _Knot_ surrendered up every Thing that belonged to them, that were taken aboard, even what they presented to him, in lieu of such Things as they had plundered him of in their Pa.s.sage, and obliged his Men to do the like.

Some Days after the taking of the _Virginia_ Man last mentioned, in cruising in the Lat.i.tude of _Jamaica, Kennedy_ took a Sloop bound thither from _Boston_, loaded with Bread and Flower; aboard of this Sloop went all the Hands who were for breaking the Gang, and left those behind that had a Mind to pursue further Adventures. Among the former were _Kennedy_, their Captain, of whose Honour they had such a dispicable Notion, that they were about to throw him over-board, when they found him in the Sloop, as fearing he might betray them all, at their return to _England_; he having in his Childhood been bred a Pick-pocket, and before he became a Pyrate, a House-breaker; both Professions that these Gentlemen have a very mean Opinion of. However, Captain _Kennedy_, by taking solemn Oaths of Fidelity to his Companions, was suffered to proceed with them.

In this Company there was but one that pretended to any skill in Navigation, (for _Kennedy_ could neither write nor read, he being preferred to the Command merely for his Courage, which indeed he had often signaliz'd, particularly in taking the _Portuguese_ Ship,) and he proved to be a Pretender only; for shaping their Course to _Ireland_, where they agreed to land, they ran away to the North-West Coast of _Scotland_, and there were tost about by hard Storms of Wind for several Days, without knowing where they were, and in great Danger of perishing: At length they pushed the Vessel into a little Creek, and went all ash.o.r.e, leaving the Sloop at an Anchor for the next Comers.

The whole Company refresh'd themselves at a little Village about five Miles from the Place where they left the Sloop, and pa.s.sed there for Ship-wreck'd Sailors, and no doubt might have travelled on without Suspicion; but the mad and riotous Manner of their Living on the Road, occasion'd their Journey to be cut short, as we shall observe presently.

_Kennedy_ and another left them here, and travelling to one of the Sea-Ports, ship'd themselves for _Ireland_, and arrived there in Safety.

Six or seven wisely withdrew from the rest, travelled at their leasure, and got to their much desired Port of _London_, without being disturbed or suspected; but the main Gang alarm'd the Country where-ever they came, drinking and roaring at such a Rate, that the People shut themselves up in their Houses, in some Places, not daring to venture out among so many mad Fellows: In other Villages, they treated the whole Town, squandering their Money away, as if, like _aesop_, they wanted to lighten their Burthens: This expensive manner of Living procured two of their drunken Straglers to be knocked on the Head, they being found murdered in the Road, and their Money taken from them: All the rest, to the Number of seventeen as they drew nigh to _Edinburgh_, were arrested and thrown into Goal, upon Suspicion, of they knew not what; However, the Magistrates were not long at a Loss for proper Accusations, for two of the Gang offering themselves for Evidences were accepted of; and the others were brought to a speedy Tryal, whereof nine were convicted and executed.

_Kennedy_ having spent all his Money, came over from _Ireland_, and kept a common B--y-House on _Deptford_ Road, and now and then, 'twas thought, made an Excursion abroad in the Way of his former Profession, till one of his Houshold W--s gave Information against him for a Robbery, for which he was committed to _Bridewell_; but because she would not do the Business by halves, she found out a Mate of a Ship that _Kennedy_ had committed Pyracy upon, as he foolishly confess'd to her. This Mate, whose Name was _Grant_, paid _Kennedy_ a Visit in _Bridewell_, and knowing him to be the Man, procured a Warrant, and had him committed to the _Marshalsea_ Prison.

The Game that _Kennedy_ had now to play was to turn Evidence himself; accordingly he gave a List of eight or ten of his Comrades; but not being acquainted with their Habitations, one only was taken, who, tho' condemn'd, appeared to be a Man of a fair Character, was forc'd into their Service, and took the first Opportunity to get from them, and therefore receiv'd a Pardon; but _Walter Kennedy_ being a notorious Offender, was executed the 19th of _July_, 1721, at _Execution Dock_.

The rest of the Pyrates who were left in the Ship _Rover_, staid not long behind, for they went ash.o.r.e to one of the _West-India_ Islands; what became of them afterwards, I can't tell, but the Ship was found at Sea by a Sloop belonging to St. _Christophers_, and carried into that Island with only nine Negroes aboard.

Thus we see what a disastrous Fate ever attends the Wicked, and how rarely they escape the Punishment due to their Crimes, who, abandon'd to such a profligate Life, rob, spoil, and prey upon Mankind, contrary to the Light and Law of Nature, as well as the Law of G.o.d. It might have been hoped, that the Examples of these Deaths, would have been as Marks to the Remainder of this Gang, how to shun the Rocks their Companions had split on; that they would have surrendered to Mercy, or divided themselves, for ever from such Pursuits, as in the End they might be sure would subject them to the same Law and Punishment, which they must be conscious they now equally deserved; _impending Law_, which never let them sleep well, unless when drunk. But all the Use that was made of it here, was to commend the Justice of the Court, that condemn'd _Kennedy, for he was a sad Dog_ (they said) _and deserved the Fate he met with_.

But to go back to _Roberts_, whom we left on the Coast of _Caiana_, in a grievous Pa.s.sion at what _Kennedy_ and the Crew had done; and who was now projecting new Adventures with his small Company in the Sloop; but finding hitherto they had been but as a Rope of Sand, they formed a Set of Articles, to be signed and sworn to, for the better Conservation of their Society, and doing Justice to one another; excluding all _Irish_ Men from the Benefit of it, to whom they had an implacable Aversion upon the Account of _Kennedy_. How indeed _Roberts_ could think that an Oath would be obligatory, where Defiance had been given to the Laws of G.o.d and Man, I can't tell, but he thought their greatest Security lay in this, _That it was every one's Interest to observe them if they were minded to keep up so abominable a Combination_.

The following, is the Substance of the Articles, as taken from the Pyrates own Informations.

I.

E_Very Man has a Vote in Affairs of Moment; has equal t.i.tle to the fresh Provisions, or strong Liquors, at any Time seized, and use them at pleasure, unless a Scarcity_ (no uncommon Thing among them) _make it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a Retrenchment_.

II.

_Every Man to be called fairly in turn, by List, on Board of Prizes, because, (over and above their proper Share_,) _they were on these Occasions allowed a Shift of Cloaths: But if they defrauded the Company to the Value of a Dollar, in Plate, Jewels, or Money_, MAROONING _was their Punishment_. This was a Barbarous Custom of putting the Offender on Sh.o.r.e, on some desolate or uninhabited Cape or Island, with a Gun, a few Shot, a Bottle of Water, and a Bottle of Powder, to subsist with, or starve. _If the Robbery was only between one another, they contented themselves with slitting the Ears and Nose of him that was Guilty, and set him on Sh.o.r.e, not in an uninhabited Place, but somewhere, where he was sure to encounter Hardships_.

III.

_No Person to Game at Cards or Dice for Money_.

IV.

_The Lights and Candles to be put out at eight o'Clock at Night: If any of the Crew, after that Hour, still remained inclined for Drinking, they were to do it on the open Deck_; which _Roberts_ believed would give a Check to their Debauches, for he was a sober Man himself, but found at length, that all his Endeavours to put an End to this Debauch, proved ineffectual.

V.

_To keep their Piece, Pistols, and Cutlash clean, and fit for Service_: In this they were extravagantly nice, endeavouring to outdo one another, in the Beauty and Richness of their Arms, giving sometimes at an Auction (at the Mast,) 30 or 40 _l._ a Pair, for Pistols. These were slung in Time of Service, with different coloured Ribbands, over their Shoulders, in a Way peculiar to these Fellows, in which they took great Delight.

VI.

_No Boy or Woman to be allowed amongst them. If any Man were sound seducing anny of the latter s.e.x, and carried her to Sea, disguised, he was to suffer Death_; so that when any fell into their Hands, as it chanced in the _Onslow_, they put a Centinel immediately over her to prevent ill Consequences from so dangerous an Instrument of Division and Quarrel; but then here lies the Roguery; they contend who shall be Centinel, which happens generally to one of the greatest Bullies, who, to secure the Lady's Virtue, will let none lye with her but himself.

VII.