A General History of the Pyrates Part 27

CHAP. XV. OF Captain _John Phillips_, And his CREW.

J_OHN Phillips_ was bred a Carpenter, and sailing to _Newfoundland_ in a West-Country Ship, was taken by _Anstis_ in the _Good Fortune_ Brigantine, the next Day after he had left his Consort and Commadore, Captain _Roberts. Phillips_ was soon reconciled to the Life of a Pyrate, and being a brisk Fellow, was appointed Carpenter of the Vessel, for at first his Ambition reach'd no higher; there he remain'd till they broke up at _Tabago_, and was one of those who came home in a Sloop that we have mentioned to be sunk in _Bristol_ Channel.

His Stay was not long in _England_, for whilst he was paying his first Visits to his Friends in _Devonshire_, he heard of the Misfortune of some of his Companions, that is, of their being taken and committed to _Bristol_ Goal; and there being good Reason for his apprehending Danger from a Wind that blew from the same Quarter, he mov'd off immediately to _Topsham_, the nearest Port, and there shipp'd himself with one Captain _Wadham_, for a Voyage to _Newfoundland_, and home again; which, by the way, Mr. _Phillips_ never design'd to perform, or to see _England_ any more. When the Ship came to _Peter_ Harbour in _Newfoundland_ aforesaid, he ran away from her, and hired himself a Splitter in the Fishery, for the Season: But this was only till he could have an Opportunity of prosecuting his intended Rogueries; in order to which, he combined with several others, in the same Employ, to go off with one of the Vessels that lay in the Harbour, upon the pyratical Account; accordingly the Time was fix'd, _viz._ the 29th of _August_ 1723, at Night; but whether Remorse or Fear prevented their coming together, I know not, but of sixteen Men that were in the Combination, five only kept the Appointment: Notwithstanding which, _Phillips_ was for pushing forward with that small Number, a.s.suring his Companions, that they should soon encrease their Company; and they agreeing, a Vessel was seiz'd on, and out of the Harbour they sailed.

The first Thing they had now to do, was to chuse Officers, draw up Articles, and settle their little Commonwealth, to prevent Disputes and Ranglings afterwards; so _John Phillips_ was made Captain, _John Nutt_, Master, (or Navigator) of the Vessel; _James Sparks_, Gunner; _Thomas Fern_, Carpenter; and _Wiliam White_ was the only private Man in the whole Crew: When this was done, one of them writ out the following Articles (which we have taken _verbatim_) and all swore to 'em upon a Hatchet for want of a Bible.

The Articles on Board the _Revenge._

1.

E_Very Man shall obey civil Command; the Captain shall have one full Share and a half in all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner shall have one Share and quarter._

2.

_If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marroon'd, with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm, and Shot._

3.

_If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marroon'd or shot._

4.

_If at any Time we should meet another Marrooner_ [_that is, _Pyrate,]

_that Man that shall sign his Articles without the Consent of our company, shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit._

5.

_That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive_ Moses_'s Law_ (_that is_, 40 _Stripes lacking one_) _on the bare Back._

6.

_That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoak Tobacco in the Hold, without a Cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer the same Punishment as in the former Article._

7.

_That Man that shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit._

8.

_If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement, shall have_ 400 _Pieces of Eight; if a Limb_, 800.

9.

_If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death._

Thus prepar'd, this bold Crew set out, and before they left the Banks they made Prize of several small Fishing-Vessels, out of which they got a few Hands, some _French_ and some _English_, and then sail'd for the _West-Indies_; in one of these Vessels they took out one _John Rose Archer_, who having been a Pyrate under the famous _Black-beard_, was immediately preferr'd over other People's Heads, to be Quarter-Master to the Company; which sudden Promotion so disgusted some of the older Standers, especially _Fern_, the Carpenter, that it occasioned some Mischief to follow, as we shall shew by and by.

The Pyrates came off _Barbadoes_ the beginning of _October_, and cruised there, and among other Islands, above three Months, without speaking with a Vessel, so that they were almost starv'd for want of Provisions, being reduc'd to a Pound of Meat a Day between ten; at length they fell in with a _Martinico_ Man of 12 Guns and 35 Hands, far superior in Force, and what they would not have ventur'd on at another Time, but _Hunger will break down Stone Walls_; they were resolved to shew the _French_ Men their black Flag; and if that would not do, they must seek out elsewhere; accordingly, they boldly ran up a-long-side of the Sloop, with their pyratical Colours flying, and told them, if they did not strike immediately, they would give them no Quarters; which so intimidated the _Frenchmen_, that they never fired a Gun. This proved a seasonable Supply; they took her Provisions, and four of her Men, and let her go. They took presently after, a Sloop belonging to _New-York_, and a _Virginia_ Man, _Huffam_ Master.

Having now occasion to clean their Vessel, _Phillips_ propos'd _Tobago_, where the Company he formerly belong'd to, under _Anstis_ and _Fenn_, broke up; to induce them to it, he told them when he left the Island, there was left behind six or eight of their Company that were not willing to go to _England_, with three Negroes: Whereupon they sail'd to the Island, and after a careful Search, found only one of the Negroes, whose Name was _Pedro_, who inform'd Captain _Phillips_, that those that were left behind were taken by a Man of War's Crew, and hang'd at _Antegoa_, among whom was _Fenn_, their Captain.

They took _Pedro_ on Board, and then fell to Business, careening their Vessel; and just as they had finished their Work, a Man of War's Boat came into the Harbour, the Ship being cruising to Leeward of the Island. It was easily guess'd upon what Errant she was sent, and therefore they lost no Time, but, as soon as the Boat went away, warp'd out, and ply'd to Windward for Security, but left the four _French_ Men, they took out of the _Martinico_ Sloop, behind.

In a few Days they took a Snow with a few Hands, and _Fern_, the Carpenter, one _William Phillips, Wood_ and _Taylor_, went aboard to take Possession of her. _Fern_, not forgetting the Affront of having _Archer_ preferr'd before him, resolv'd to go off with the Prize, and brought the rest into the same Measures; however _Phillips_, the Captain, keeping a good Look-out, perceiv'd their Design, and gave them Chace, who coming up with the Vessel, a Skirmish ensu'd, wherein _Wood_ was kill'd and _Taylor_ wounded in his Leg; upon which the other two surrender'd. There was no Surgeon aboard, and therefore it was advis'd, upon a learned Consultation, that _Phillips_'s Leg should be cut off; but who should perform the Operation was the Dispute; at length the Carpenter was appointed, as the most proper Man: Upon which, he fetch'd up the biggest Saw, and taking the Limb under his Arm, fell to Work, and separated it from the Body of the Patient, in as little Time as he could have cut a Deal Board in two; after that he heated his Ax red hot in the Fire, and cauteriz'd the Wound, but not with so much Art as he perform'd the other Part, for he so burnt his Flesh distant from the Place of Amputation, that it had like to have mortify'd; however nature perform'd a Cure at last without any other a.s.sistance.

From _Tobago_ they stood away to the Northward and took a _Portugueze_ bound for _Brazil_, and two or three Sloops from _Jamaica_, in one of which, _Fern_ the Carpenter, endeavouring to go off, was kill'd by _Phillips_ the Captain, pursuant to their Articles; another had the same Fate some Days after for the like Attempt. These Severities made it dangerous for any to consult or project an Escape; the Terror of which made several sign their Articles and set down quietly, waiting impatiently for Redemption, which as yet they saw no great likelyhood of, and should they have been taken before such Circ.u.mstances appear'd in their Actions or Characters, as afterwards happen'd, to denote their Innocence, they might have lost their Lives upon a Tryal at a Court of Admiralty; for pretty strong Evidence is expected in their Favour, to ballance that of being taken aboard a Vessel which is prov'd to be in actual Pyracy, and they a.s.sisting therein.

Thus was many an honest Man's Case made most desperate by the consummate Villany of a few hardned Wretches, who fear neither G.o.d or Devil, as this _Phillips_ us'd often blasphemously to express himself.

On the 25th of _March_ they took two Ships from _Virginia_ for _London, John Phillips_, the Pyrate Captain's Namesake, was Master of one, and Captain _Robert Mortimer_, the other, a brisk young Fellow, that deserv'd a better Fate than he met with. _Phillips_ the Pyrate staid on Board of Captain _Mortimer_'s Ship, while they transported the Crew to the Sloop, and the Boat returning along side, one of the Pyrates therein calls to _Phillips_, and tells him, there was a Mutiny aboard their Vessel, _Mortimer_ had two Men in his Ship, and the Pyrate Captain had two, therefore thought it a good Opportunity to recover his Ship, and directly took up a Handspike and struck _Phillips_ over the Head, giving him a dangerous wound, but not knocking him down, he recovered and wounded _Mortimer_ with his Sword; and the two Pyrates that were aboard coming in to Captain _Phillips_'s a.s.sistance, Captain _Mortimer_ was presently cut to Pieces, while his own two Men stood by and did nothing.

This was the first Voyage that _Mortimer_ had the Command of a Vessel, by whose Death is a poor disconsolate Widow made miserable, more in regard of the mutual Love and Fidelity they lived in, than the Loss of what would have been a handsome and comfortable Provision for themselves and Children, which, I think, now ought to be made up by the Publick, since 'twas in the publick Service he fell; for had his Attempt succeeded, in all Probability he would not only have regained his own Ship, but entirely subdued and destroy'd the Enemy, there being several, as it afterwards proved, that would have seconded such an Enterprize when ever they found a Beginning made.

This Affair ended without any other Consequence than a strict Search after a Brother of Captain _Mortimer_, who was on Board, in order to have put him likewise to death; but he had the good Fortune to meet with a Townsman among the Crew, who hid him for four and twenty Hours in a Stay-Sail, till the Heat of their Fury was over, and by that Means happily missed of the Fate designed him.

Out of the other _Virginia_ Man before spoken of, they took one _Edward Cheeseman_, a Carpenter, to supply the Place of their late Carpenter, _Fern._ He was a modest sober young Man, very averse to their unlawful Practice, and a brave gallant Fellow. There was one _John Philmore_ of _Ipswich_, formerly taken by them, ordered to row _Cheeseman_ aboard of _Mortimer_'s Ship, which the Pyrates possess'd themselves of, who, seeing with what Reluctance and Uneasiness _Cheeseman_ was brought away, told him, he would join with him, in some Measures, to over-throw the pyratical Government, telling him withal, their present Condition, what Difficulties _Phillips_ had met with to make up his Company, and how few voluntary Pyrates there were on Board, and the like. But, however specious this seemed, _Cheeseman_ out of Prudence rejected his Offers of a.s.sistance, till he saw some Proofs of his Sincerity, which after a few Days he was convinced of, and then they often consulted; but as the old Pyrates were always jealous of the new Comers, and consequently observant of their Behaviour; this was done with the utmost Caution, chiefly when they were lying down together, as tho' asleep, and, at other Times, when they were playing at Cards; both which they feigned often to do for that Purpose.

The Pyrates went on all the while, plundering and robbing several Ships and Vessels, bending their Course towards _Newfoundland_, where they designed to raise more Men, and do all the Mischief they could on the Banks, and in the Harbours.

_Newfoundland_ is an Island on the North Continent of _America_, contained between the 46 and 53 of N. Lat.i.tude, discovered first by St. _Sebastion Cabot_ A. D. 1497, but never settled till the Year 1610; when Mr. _Guy_ of _Bristol_ revived the Affair, and obtained a Patent, and himself to be Governor. The Island is deserted by the Natives and neglected by us, being desolate and Woody, and the Coast and Harbour only held for the Conveniency of the Cod Fishery, for which alone they were settled.

The Bays and Harbours about it, are very numerous and convenient, and being deeply indented, makes it easy for any Intelligence quickly to pa.s.s from one Harbour to another over Land; especially the princ.i.p.al, St. _John_'s and _Placentia_, when the Appearance of an Enemy makes them apprehend Danger.

They are able to cure and export about 100000 Quintals (100 Weight each) of Fish, annually, which returns to _England_ in Money, or the necessary Commodities of _Portugal, Spain_ and _Italy._ As it therefore expends abundance of Rum, Molossus and Sugar, the Product of our _West-India_ Colonies, and employs a Number of Fishermen from home every Season, by whose Industry and Labour only this Fish is purchased, it may very well be reckon'd an advantagious Branch of Trade.

But the present Design of this Digression being not to give an exact Description of the Country or Fishery; but rather how it accidentally contributes to raise, or support the Pyrates already rais'd, I shall observe,

First, That our West Country Fishing-Ships, _viz._ from _Topsham, Barnstable_ and _Bristol_, who chiefly attend the Fishing Seasons, transport over a considerable Number of poor Fellows every Summer, whom they engage at low Wages, and are by their Terms to pay for Pa.s.sage back to _England._ When the _Newfoundland_ Ships left that Country, towards Winter, in the Year 1720, these Pa.s.sengers muster'd 1100, who, during the Season of Business, (the Hardness of their Labour, and Chilness of the Nights, pinching them very much) are mostly fond of drinking Black Strap, (a strong Liquor used there, and made from Rum, Molossus, and Chowder Beer;) by this the Majority of them out-run the Constable, and then are necessitated to come under hard Articles of Servitude for their Maintenance in the Winter; no ordinary Charge, indeed, when the Barrenness of the Country is consider'd, and the Stock of Provision laid in, happen to fall short, in Proportion to the Computation made of the People remaining there the Winter, which are generally about 17 or 1800. The Masters residing there think Advantages taken on their Necessities, no more than a just and lawful Gain; and either bind such for the next Summer's Service, or sell their Provisions out to them at extravagant Rates; Bread from 15s. to 50, immediately at the departing of the Ships, and so of other sorts of Food in Proportion; wherefore not being able to subsist themselves, or in any likely Way of clearing the Reckoning to the Masters, they sometimes run away with Shallops and Boats, and begin on pyratical Exploits, as _Phillips_ and his Companions, whom we are now treating of, had done.

And secondly (which is more opportunely for them,) they are visited every Summer, almost, by some Set of Pyrates or other, already rais'd, who call here for the same Purpose, (if young Beginners) and to lay in a Store of Water and Provisions, which they find imported, much or little, by all the Ships that use the Trade.

Towards this Country _Phillips_ was making his Way, and took on the Voyage, besides those abovementioned, one _Salter_, in a Sloop off the Isle of _Sables_, which Vessel they made use of themselves, and gave back _Mortimer_'s Ship to the Mate and Crew. The same Day, _viz._ the 4th of _April_, took a Sc.o.o.ner, one _Chadwell_, Master, which they scuttled, in order to sink; but Capt. _Phillips_ understanding that she belong'd to Mr.

_Minors_ at _Newfoundland_, with whose Vessel they first went off a pyrating, a Qualm of Conscience came athwart his Stomach, and he said to his Companions, _We have done him Injury enough already_; so order'd the Vessel immediately to be repair'd, and return'd her to the Master.

That Afternoon they chac'd another Vessel, and at Night came up with her, the Master of which was a Saint of _New-England_, nam'd _Dependance Ellery_, who taking _Phillips_ for a Pyrate, he told him was the Reason that he gave him the Trouble of chacing so long; which being resented by these Men of Honour, they made poor _Dependance_ dance about the Deck till he was weary.

Within few Days several other Vessels had the same Misfortune, the Masters Names were as follow, _Joshua Elwell, Samuel Elwell_, Mr. _Combs_, Mr.

_Lansly, James Babston, Edward Freeman_, Mr. _Start, Obediah Beal, Erick Erickson_ and _Benjamin Wheeler._

The 14th of _April_ they took a Sloop belonging to Cape _Ann, Andrew Harradine_ Master; they look'd upon this Vessel more fit for their Purpose, and so came aboard, keeping only the Master of her Prisoner, and sending _Harradine_'s Crew away in _Salter_'s Vessel, which they, till this Time, detain'd. To this _Harradine, Cheeseman_ the Carpenter, broke his Mind, and brought him into the Confederacy to destroy the Crew, which was put in Execution four Days afterwards.

_Harradine_ and the rest were for doing the Business in the Night, as believing they might be more opportunely surpriz'd; for _Nut_, the Master, being a Fellow of great Strength, and no less Courage, it was thought dangerous to attack him without Fire-Arms; however, _Cheeseman_ was resolute to have it perform'd by Day-light, as the least liable to Confusion; and as to the Master, he offer'd to lay Hands on him first: Upon this 'twas concluded on, 12 at Noon was the appointed Time; in order for the Business _Cheeseman_ leaves his working Tools on the Deck, as though he had been going to use them, and walked aft; but perceiving some Signs of Timidity in _Harradine_, he comes back, fetches his Brandy Bottle and gives him and the rest a Dram, then drank to _Burril_, the Boatswain, and the Master, _To their next merry Meeting_, and up he puts the Bottle; then he takes a Turn with _Nut_, asking what he thought of the Weather, and such like. In the mean while _Filemore_ takes up the Axe, and turns it round upon the Point, as if at Play, then both he and _Harradine_ wink at him, thereby letting him know they were ready; upon which Signal he seizes _Nut_ by the Collar, with one Hand between his Legs, and toss'd him over the Side of the Vessel, but, he holding by _Cheeseman_'s Sleeve, said, _Lord have Mercy upon me! what are you going to do, Carpenter?_ He told him it was an unnecessary Question, _For_, says he, _Master, you are a dead Man_, so strikes him over the Arm, _Nut_ looses his Hold, tumbles into the Sea, and never spoke more.

By this time the Boatswain was dead; for as soon as _Filemore_ saw the Master laid hold of, he raised up the Axe, and divided his Enemy's Head in two: The Noise brought the Captain upon Deck, whom _Cheeseman_ saluted with the Blow of a Mallet, which broke his Jaw-Bone, but did not knock him down; _Harradine_ came in then with the Carpenter's Adds, but _Sparks_, the Gunner, interposing between him and Captain _Phillips, Cheeseman_ trips up his Heels, and flung him into the Arms of _Charles Ivymay_, one of his Consorts, who that Instant discharg'd him into the Sea; and at the same Time _Harradine_ compa.s.sed his Business with the Captain aforesaid: _Cheeseman_ lost no Time, but from the Deck jumps into the Hold, and was about to beat out the Brains of _Archer_, the Quarter-Master, having struck him two or three Blows with his blunt Weapon the Mallet, when _Harry Giles_, a young Lad, came down after him, and desir'd his Life might be spar'd, as an Evidence of their own Innocence; that he having all the Spoil and Plunder in his Custody, it may appear, that these tragick Proceedings were not undertaken with any dishonest View of seizing or appropriating the Effects to themselves; which prudent Advice prevail'd, and he and three more were made Prisoners, and secured.

The Work being done, they went about Ship, altered the Course from _Newfoundland_ to _Boston_, and arrived safe the 3d of _May_ following, to the great Joy of that Province.

On the 12th of _May_, 1724, a special Court of Admiralty was held for the Tryal of these Pyrates, when _John Filmore, Edward Cheeseman, John Combs, Henry Giles, Charles Ivymay, John Bootman_, and _Henry Payne_, the seven that confederated together for the Pyrates Destruction, were honourably acquitted; as also three _French_ Men, _John Baptis, Peter Taffery_, and _Isaac La.s.sen_, and three Negroes, _Pedro, Francisco_, and _Pierro._ And _John Rose Archer_, the Quarter-Master, _William White, William Taylor_, and _William Phillips_, were condemned; the two latter were reprieved for a Year and a Day, in order to be recommended (though I don't know for what) as Objects of his Majesty's Mercy. The two former were executed on the 2d of _June_, and dy'd very penitently, making the following Declarations at the Place of Execution, with the a.s.sistance of two grave Divines that attended them.