A General History of the Pyrates Part 5

_Joseph Brooks_, (1)

_Nath. Jackson_.

All the rest, except the two last, were wounded and afterwards hanged in _Virginia_.

_John Carnes, Joseph Philips,_

_Joseph Brooks, _(2)_ James Robbins,_

_James Blake, John Martin,_

_John Gills, Edward Salter,_

_Thomas Gates, Stephen Daniel,_

_James White, Richard Greensail._

_Richard Stiles, Israel Hands, _pardoned.

_Caesar, Samuel Odel_, acquited.

There were in the Pyrate Sloops, and ash.o.r.e in a Tent, near where the Sloops lay, 25 Hogsheads of Sugar, 11 Teirces, and 145 Bags of Cocoa, a Barrel of Indigo, and a Bale of Cotton; which, with what was taken from the Governor and Secretary, and the Sale of the Sloop, came to 2500 _l._ besides the Rewards paid by the Governor of _Virginia_, pursuant to his Proclamation; all which was divided among the Companies of the two Ships, _Lime_ and _Pearl_, that lay in _James_ River; the brave Fellows that took them coming in for no more than their Dividend amongst the rest, and was paid it within these three Months.

CHAP. IV. OF Major _Stede Bonnet_, And his CREW.

THE Major was a Gentleman of good Reputation in the Island of _Barbadoes_, was Master of a plentiful Fortune, and had the Advantage of a liberal Education. He had the least Temptation of any Man to follow such a Course of Life, from the Condition of his Circ.u.mstances. It was very surprizing to every one, to hear of the Major's Enterprize, in the Island were he liv'd; and as he was generally esteem'd and honoured, before he broke out into open Acts of Pyracy, so he was afterwards rather pitty'd than condemned, by those that were acquainted with him, believing that this Humour of going a pyrating, proceeded from a Disorder in his Mind, which had been but too visible in him, some Time before this wicked Undertaking; and which is said to have been occasioned by some Discomforts he found in a married State; be that as it will, the Major was but ill qualify'd for the Business, as not understanding maritime Affairs.

However, he fitted out a Sloop with ten Guns and 70 Men, entirely at his own Expence, and in the Night-Time sailed from _Barbadoes_. He called his Sloop the _Revenge_; his first Cruize was off the Capes of _Virginia_, where he took several Ships, and plundered them of their Provisions, Cloaths, Money, Ammunition, _&c._ in particular the _Anne_, Captain _Montgomery_, from _Glascow_; the _Turbet_ from _Barbadoes_, which for Country sake, after they had taken out the princ.i.p.al Part of the Lading, the Pyrate Crew set her on Fire; the _Endeavour_, Captain _Scot_, from _Bristol_, and the _Young_ from _Leith_. From hence they went to _New-York_, and off the East End of _Long-Island_, took a Sloop bound for the _West-Indies_, after which they stood in and landed some Men at _Gardner_'s _Island_, but in a peaceable Manner, and bought Provisions for the Company's Use, which they paid for, and so went off again without Molestation.

Some Time after, which was in _August_ 1717, _Bonnet_ came off the Bar of _South-Carolina_, and took a Sloop and a Brigantine bound in; the Sloop belonged to _Barbadoes, Joseph Palmer_ Master, laden with Rum, Sugar and Negroes; and the Brigantine came from _New-England, Thomas Porter_ Master, whom they plundered, and then dismiss'd; but they sailed away with the Sloop, and at an Inlet in _North-Carolina_ careened by her, and then set her on Fire.

After the Sloop had cleaned, they put to Sea, but came to no Resolution what Course to take; the Crew were divided in their Opinions, some being for one Thing, and some another, so that nothing but Confusion seem'd to attend all their Schemes.

The Major was no Sailor as was said before, and therefore had been obliged to yield to many Things that were imposed on him, during their Undertaking, for want of a competent Knowledge in maritime Affairs; at length happening to fall in Company with another Pyrate, one _Edward Teach_, (who for his remarkable black ugly Beard, was more commonly called _Black-Beard_:) This Fellow was a good Sailor, but a most cruel hardened Villain, bold and daring to the last Degree, and would not stick at the perpetrating the most abominable Wickedness imaginable; for which he was made Chief of that execrable Gang, that it might be said that his Post was not unduly filled, _Black-beard_ being truly the Superior in Roguery, of all the Company, as has been already related.

To him _Bonnet_'s Crew joined in Consortship, and _Bonnet_ himself was laid aside, notwithstanding the Sloop was his own; he went aboard _Black-beard_'s Ship, not concerning himself with any of their Affairs, where he continued till she was lost in _Topsail_ Inlet, and one _Richards_ was appointed Captain in his Room. The Major now saw his Folly, but could not help himself, which made him Melancholy; he reflected upon his past Course of Life, and was confounded with Shame, when he thought upon what he had done: His Behaviour was taken Notice of by the other Pyrates, who liked him never the better for it; and he often declared to some of them, that he would gladly leave off that Way of Living, being fully tired of it; but he should be ashamed to see the Face of any _English_ Man again; therefore if he could get to _Spain_ or _Portugal_, where he might be undiscovered, he would spend the Remainder of his Days in either of those Countries, otherwise he must continue with them as long as he lived.

When _Black-beard_ lost his Ship at _Topsail_ Inlet, and surrendered to the King's Proclamation, _Bonnet_ rea.s.sumed the Command of his own Sloop, _Revenge_, goes directly away to _Bath-Town_ in _North-Carolina_, surrenders likewise to the King's Pardon, and receives a Certificate. The War was now broke out between the _Tripple_ Allies and _Spain_; so Major _Bonnet_ gets a Clearence for his Sloop at _North-Carlina_, to go to the Island of St. _Thomas_, with a Design (at least it was pretended so) to get the Emperor's Commission, to go a Privateering upon the _Spaniards_. When _Bonnet_ came back to _Topsail_ Inlet, he found that _Teach_ and his Gang were gone, and that they had taken all the Money, small Arms and Effects of Value out of the great Ship, and set ash.o.r.e on a small sandy Island above a League from the Main, seventeen Men, no doubt with a Design they should perish, there being no Inhabitant, or Provisions to subsist withal, nor any Boat or Materials to build or make any kind of Launch or Vessel, to escape from that desolate Place: They remained there two Nights and one Day, without Subsistance, or the least Prospect of any, expecting nothing else but a lingering Death; when to their inexpressable Comfort, they saw Redemption at Hand; for Major _Bonnet_ happening to get Intelligence of their being there, by two of the Pyrates who had escaped _Teach_'s Cruelty, and had got to a poor little Village at the upper End of the Harbour, sent his Boat to make Discovery of the Truth of the Matter, which the poor Wretches seeing, made a signal to them, and they were all brought on Board _Bonnet_'s Sloop.

Major _Bonnet_ told all his Company, that he would take a Commission to go against the _Spaniards_, and to that End, was going to St. _Thomas_'s therefore if they would go with him, they should be welcome; whereupon they all consented, but as the Sloop was preparing to sail, a Bom-Boat, that brought Apples and Sider to sell to the Sloop's Men, informed them, that Captain _Teach_ lay at _Ocric.o.c.k_ Inlet, with only 18 or 20 Hands.

_Bonnet_, who bore him a mortal Hatred for some Insults offered him, went immediately in pursuit of _Black-beard_, but it happened too late, for he missed of him there, and after four Days Cruize, hearing no farther News of him, they steered their Course towards _Virginia_.

In the Month of _July_, these Adventurers came off the Capes, and meeting with a Pink with a Stock of Provisions on Board, which they happened to be in Want of, they took out of her ten or twelve Barrels of Pork, and about 400 Weight of Bread; but because they would not have this set down to the Account of Pyracy, they gave them eight or ten Casks of Rice, and an old Cable, in lieu thereof.

Two Days afterwards they chased a Sloop of sixty Ton, and took her two Leagues off of Cape _Henry_; they were so happy here as to get a Supply of Liquor to their Victuals, for they brought from her two Hogsheads of Rum, and as many of Molosses, which, it seems, they had need of, tho' they had not ready Money to purchase them: What Security they intended to give, I can't tell, but _Bonnet_ sent eight Men to take Care of the Prize Sloop, who, perhaps, not caring to make Use of those accustom'd Freedoms, took the first Opportunity to go off with her, and _Bonnet_ (who was pleased to have himself called Captain _Thomas_,) saw them no more.

After this, the Major threw off all Restraint, and though he had just before received his Majesty's Mercy, in the Name of _Stede Bonnet_, he relaps'd in good Earnest into his old Vocation, by the Name of Captain _Thomas_, and recommenced a down-right Pyrate, by taking and plundering all the Vessels he met with: He took off Cape _Henry_, two Ships from _Virginia_, bound to _Glascow_, out of which they had very little besides an hundred Weight of Tobacco. The next Day they took a small Sloop bound from _Virginia_ to _Bermudas_, which supply'd them with twenty Barrels of Pork, some Bacon, and they gave her in return, two Barrels of Rice, and a Hogshead of Molossus; out of this Sloop two Men enter'd voluntarily. The next they took was another _Virginia_ Man, bound to _Glascow_, out of which they had nothing of Value, save only a few Combs, Pins and Needles, and gave her instead thereof, a Barrel of Pork, and two Barrels of Bread.

From _Virginia_ they sailed to _Philadelphia_, and in the Lat.i.tude of 38 North, they took a Sc.o.o.ner, coming from _North-Carolina_, bound to _Boston_, they had out of her only two Dozen of Calf-Skins, to make Covers for Guns, and two of their Hands, and detained her some Days. All this was but small Game, and seem'd as if they design'd only to make Provision for their Sloop against they arrived at St. _Thomas_'s; for they hitherto had dealt favourably with all that were so unhappy as so fall into their Hands; but those that came after, fared not so well, for in the Lat.i.tude of 32, off of _Delaware_ River, near _Philadelphia_, they took two Snows bound to _Bristol_, out of whom they got some Money, besides Goods, perhaps to the Value of 150 Pounds; at the same Time they took a Sloop of sixty Tons bound from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, which after taking some Goods out, they dismissed along with the Snows.

The 29th Day of _July_, Captain _Thomas_ took a Sloop of 50 Tons, six or seven Leagues off _Delaware_ Bay, bound from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes, Thomas Read_ Master, loaden with Provisions, which they kept, and put four or five of their Hands on Board her. The last Day of _July_, they took another Sloop of 60 Tons, commanded by _Peter Manwaring_, bound from _Antegoa_ to _Philadelphia_, which they likewise kept with all the Cargo, consisting chiefly of Rum, Molosses, Sugar, Cotton, Indigo, and about 25 Pound in Money, valued in all to 500 Pound.

The last Day of _July_, our Rovers with the Vessels last taken, left _Delaware_ Bay, and sailed to Cape _Fear_ River, where they staid too long for their Safety, for the Pyrate Sloop which they now new named the _Royal James_, proved very leaky, so that they were obliged to remain here almost two Months, to refit and repair their Vessel: They took in this River a small Shallop, which they ripped up to mend the Sloop, and r.e.t.a.r.ded the further Prosecution of their Voyage, as before mentioned, till the News came to _Carolina_, of a Pyrate Sloop's being there to carreen with her Prizes.

Upon this Information, the Council of _South-Carolina_ was alarmed, and apprehended they should receive another Visit from them speedily; to prevent which, Colonel _William Rhet_, of the same Province, waited on the Governor, and generously offered himself to go with two Sloops to attack this Pyrate; which the Governor readily accepted, and accordingly gave the Colonel a Commission and full Power, to fit such Vessels as he thought proper for the Design.

In a few Days two Sloops were equipped and manned: The _Henry_ with 8 Guns and 70 Men, commanded by Captain _John Masters_, and the _Sea Nymph_, with 8 Guns and 60 Men, commanded by Captain _Fayrer Hall_, both under the entire Direction and Command of the aforesaid Colonel _Rhet_, who, on the 14th of _September_, went on Board the _Henry_, and, with the other Sloop, sailed from _Charles-Town_ to _Swillivants_ Island, to put themselves in order for the Cruize. Just then arrived a small Ship from _Antigoa_, one _c.o.c.k_ Master, with an Account, that in Sight of the Bar he was taken and plundered by one _Charles Vane_, a Pyrate, in a Brigantine of 12 Guns and 90 Men; and who had also taken two other Vessels bound in there, one a small Sloop, Captain _Dill_ Master, from _Barbadoes_; the other a Brigantine, Captain _Thompson_ Master, from _Guiney_, with ninety odd Negroes, which they took out of the Vessel, and put on Board another Sloop then under the Command of one _Yeats_, his Consort, with 25 Men. This prov'd fortunate to the Owners of the _Guiney_ Man, for _Yeats_ having often attempted to quit this Course of Life, took an Opportunity in the Night, to leave _Vane_ and to run into _North-Edisto_ River, to the Southward of _Charles-Town_, and surrendered to his Majesty's Pardon. The Owners got their Negroes, and _Yeats_ and his Men had Certificates given them from the Government.

_Vane_ cruised some Time off the Bar, in hopes to catch _Yeats_, and unfortunately for them, took two Ships coming out, bound to _London_, and while the Prisoners were aboard, some of the Pyrates gave out, that they designed to go into one of the Rivers to the Southward. Colonel _Rhet_, upon hearing this, sailed over the Bar the 15th of _September_, with the two Sloops before mentioned; and having the Wind Northerly, went after the Pyrate _Vane_, and scoured the Rivers and Inlets to the Southward; but not meeting with him, tacked and stood for Cape _Fear_ River, in Prosecution of his first Design. On the 26th following, in the Evening, the Colonel with his small Squadron, entered the River, and saw, over a Point of Land, three Sloops at an Anchor, which were Major _Bonnet_ and his Prizes; but it happened that in going up the River, the Pilot run the Colonel's Sloops aground, and it was dark before they were on Float, which hindered their getting up that Night. The Pyrates soon discovered the Sloops, but not knowing who they were, or upon what Design they came into that River, they manned three Canoes, and sent them down to take them, but they quickly found their Mistake, and returned to the Sloop, with the unwelcome News.

Major _Bonnet_ made Preparations that Night for engaging, and took all the Men out of the Prizes. He shewed Captain _Manwaring_, one of his Prisoners, a Letter, he had just wrote, which he declared he would send to the Governor of _Carolina_; the Letter was to this Effect, _viz. That if the Sloops, which then appeared, were sent out against him, by the said Governor, and he should get clear off, that he would burn and destroy all Ships or Vessels going in or coming out of_ South-Carolina. The next Morning they got under Sail, and came down the River, designing only a running Fight. Colonel _Rhet_'s Sloops got likewise under Sail, and stood for him, getting upon each Quarter of the Pyrate, with Intent to board him; which he perceiving, edged in towards the Sh.o.r.e, and being warmly engaged, their Sloop ran a-ground: The _Carolina_ Sloops being in the same shoal Water, were in the same Circ.u.mstances; the _Henry_, in which Colonel _Rhet_ was, grounded within Pistol shot of the Pyrate, and on his Bow; the other Sloop grounded right a-head of him, and almost out of Gun-Shot, which made her of little Service to the Colonel, while they lay a-ground.

At this Time the Pyrate had a considerable Advantage; for their Sloop, after she was a-ground, listed from Colonel _Rhet_'s, by which Means they were all covered, and the Colonel's Sloop listing the same Way, his Men were much exposed; notwithstanding which, they kept a brisk Fire the whole Time they lay thus a-ground, which was near five Hours. The Pyrates made a Wiff in their b.l.o.o.d.y Flag, and beckoned several Times with their Hats in Derision to the Colonel's Men, to come on Board, which they answered with chearful Huzza's, and said, _that they would speak with them by and by_; which accordingly happened, for the Colonel's Sloop being first a float, he got into deeper Water, and after mending the Sloop's Rigging, which was much shattered in the Engagement, they stood for the Pyrate, to give the finishing Stroke, and designed to go directly on Board him; which he prevented, by sending a Flag of Truce, and after some Time capitulating, they surrendered themselves Prisoners. The Colonel took Possession of the Sloop, and was extreamly pleased to find that Captain _Thomas_, who commanded her, was the individual Person of Major _Stede Bonnet_, who had done them the Honour several Times to visit their own Coast of _Carolina_.

There were killed in this Action, on Board the _Henry_, ten Men, and fourteen wounded; on Board the _Sea Nymph_, two killed and four wounded.

The Officers and Sailors in both Sloops behaved themselves with the greatest Bravery; and had not the Sloops so unluckily run a-ground, they had taken the Pyrate with much less loss of Men; but as he designed to get by them, and so make a running Fight, the _Carolina_ Sloops were obliged to keep near him, to prevent his getting away. Of the Pyrates there were seven killed and five wounded, two of which died soon after of their Wounds.

Colonel _Rhet_ weigh'd the 30th of _September_, from Cape _Fear_ River, and arrived at _Charles-Town_ the 3d of _October_, to the great Joy of the whole Province of _Carolina_.

_Bonnet_ and his Crew, two Days after, were put ash.o.r.e, and there not being a publick Prison, the Pyrates were kept at the Watch-House, under a Guard of Militia; but Major _Bonnet_ was committed into the Custody of the Marshal, at his House; and in a few Days after, _David Hariot_ the Master, and _Ignatius Pell_ the Boatswain, who were designed for Evidences against the other Pyrates, were removed from the rest of the Crew, to the said Marshal's House, and every Night two Centinals set about the said House; but whether thro' any Corruption, or want of Care in guarding the Prisoners, I can't say; but on the 24th of _October_, the Major and _Hariot_ made their Escape, the Boatswain refusing to go along with them.

This made a great Noise in the Province, and People were open in their Resentments, often reflecting on the Governor, and others in the Magistracy, as tho' they had been brib'd, for conniving at their Escape.

These Invectives arose from their Fears, that _Bonnet_ would be capable of raising another Company, and prosecute his Revenge against this Country, for what he had lately, tho' justly, suffered: But they were in a short Time made easy in those Respects; for as soon as the Governor had the Account of _Bonnet_'s Escape, he immediately issued out a Proclamation, and promised a Reward of 700 Pounds to any that would take him, and sent several Boats with armed Men, both to the Northward and Southward, in pursuit of him.

_Bonnet_ stood to the Northward, in a small Vessel, but wanting Necessaries, and the Weather being bad, he was forced back, and so return'd with his Canoe, to _Swillivants_ Island, near _Charles-Town_, to fetch Supplies; but there being some Information sent to the Governor, he sent for Colonel _Rhet_, and desired him to go in pursuit of _Bonnet_; and accordingly gave him a Commission for that Purpose: Wherefore the Colonel, with proper Craft, and some Men, went away that Night for _Swillivant_'s Island, and, after a very diligent Search, discovered _Bonnet_ and _Hariot_ together; the Colonel's Men fired upon them, and killed _Hariot_ upon the Spot, and wounded one Negro and an _Indian. Bonnet_ submitted, and surrender'd himself; and the next Morning, being _November_ the 6th, was brought by Colonel _Rhet_ to _Charles-Town_, and, by the Governor's Warrant, was committed into safe Custody, in order for his being brought to his Tryal.

On the 28th of _October_, 1718, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at _Charles-Town_, in _South-Carolina_, and, by several Adjournments, continued to _Wednesday_, the 12th of _November_ following, for the Tryal of the Pyrates taken in a Sloop formerly called _the Revenge_, but afterwards _the Royal James_, before _Nicholas Trot_, Esq; Judge of the Vice-Admiralty, and Chief Justice of the said Province of _South-Carolina_, and other a.s.sistant Judges.

The King's Commission to Judge _Trot_ was read, and a Grand Jury sworn, for the finding of the several Bills, and a learned Charge given them by the said Judge, wherein he 1st shewed, _That the Sea was given by G.o.d, for the Use of Men, and is Subject to Dominion and Property, as well as the Land_.

2dly, He particularly remark'd to them, _the Sovereignty of the King of_ England _over the_ British _Seas_.

3dly, He observed, _that as Commerce and Navigation could not be carried on without Laws; so there have been always particular Laws, for the better ordering and regulating marine Affairs_; with an historical Account or those Laws, and Origine.

4thly, He proceeded to shew, _that there have been particular Courts and Judges appointed; to whose Jurisdiction maritime Causes do belong, and that in Matters both Civil and Criminal_.

And then 5thly, He particularly shewed them, _the Const.i.tution and Jurisdiction of that Court of Admiralty Sessions_.

And lastly, _the Crimes cognizable therein_; and particularly enlarged _upon the Crime of Pyracy_, which was then brought before them.

The Indictments being found, a pet.i.t Jury was sworn, and the following Persons arraigned and tried.

_Stede Bonnet_, alias _Edwards_, alias _Thomas_, late of _Barbadoes_, Mariner.

_Robert Tucker_, late of the Island of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Edward Robinson_, late of _New-Castle_ upon _Tine_, Mariner.