‘Williamthe Third, by the Grace of God, King ofEngland,Scotland,FranceandIreland, Defender of the Faith,&c.To our trusty and well beloved CaptainWilliam Kid, Commander of the Ship theAdventureGally, or to any other the Commander of the same for the Time being, GREETING; Whereas we are informed, that CaptainThomas Too,John Ireland, CaptainThomas Wake, and CaptainWilliam Maze, orMace, and other Subjects, Natives or Inhabitants ofNew-York, and elsewhere, in our Plantations inAmerica, have associated themselves, with divers others, wicked and ill disposed Persons, and do, against the Law of Nations, commit many and great Pyracies, Robberies and Depredations on the Seas upon the Parts ofAmerica, and in other Parts, to the great Hinderance and Discouragement of Trade and Navigation, and to the greatDanger and Hurt of our loving Subjects, our Allies, and all others, navigating the Seas upon their lawful Occasions. Now KNOW YE, that we being desirous to prevent the aforesaid Mischiefs, and, as much as in us lies, to bring the said Pyrates, Free Booters and Sea Rovers to Justice, have thought fit, and do hereby give and grant to the saidWilliam Kid(to whom our Commissioners for exercising the Office of Lord High Admiral ofEngland, have granted a Commission as a private Man of War, bearing Date the 11th Day ofDecember1695), and unto the Commander of the said Ship for the Time being, and unto the Officers, Mariners, and others, which shall be under your Command, full Power and Authority to apprehend, sieze, and take into your Custody as well the said CaptainThomas Too,John Ireland, CaptainThomas Wake, and CaptainWilliam Maze, orMace, as all such Pyrates, Free Booters and Sea Rovers, being either our Subjects, or of other Nations associated with them, which you shall meet with upon the Seas, or Coasts ofAmerica, or upon any other Seas or Coasts, with all their Ships and Vessels; and all such Merchandizes, Money, Goods and Wares as shall be found on Board, or with them, in Case they shall willingly yield themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting, then you are by Force to compel them to yield. And we do also require you to bring, or cause to be brought, such Pyrates, Free Booters, or Sea Rovers, as you shall seize, to a legal Tryal, to the End they may be proceeded against according to the Law in such Cases. And we do hereby command all our Officers, Ministers, and other our loving Subjects whatsover, to be aiding and assisting to you in the Premisses. And we do hereby enjoin you to keep an exact Journal of your Proceedings in the Executionof the Premisses, and set down the Names of such Pyrates, and of their Officers and Company, and the Names of such Ships and Vessels as you shall by Vertue of these Presents take and seize, and the Quantities of Arms, Ammunition, Provision and Lading of such Ships, and the true Value of the same, as near as you judge. And we do hereby strictly charge and command you as you will answer the contrary at your Peril, that you do not, in any Manner, offend or molest our Friends or Allies, their Ships, or Subjects, by Colour or Pretence of these Presents, or the Authority thereby granted. In Witness whereof we have caused our Great Seal ofEnglandto be affix’d to these Presents. Given at our Court ofKensington, the 26th Day ofJanuary1695, in the seventh Year of our Reign.’
‘Williamthe Third, by the Grace of God, King ofEngland,Scotland,FranceandIreland, Defender of the Faith,&c.To our trusty and well beloved CaptainWilliam Kid, Commander of the Ship theAdventureGally, or to any other the Commander of the same for the Time being, GREETING; Whereas we are informed, that CaptainThomas Too,John Ireland, CaptainThomas Wake, and CaptainWilliam Maze, orMace, and other Subjects, Natives or Inhabitants ofNew-York, and elsewhere, in our Plantations inAmerica, have associated themselves, with divers others, wicked and ill disposed Persons, and do, against the Law of Nations, commit many and great Pyracies, Robberies and Depredations on the Seas upon the Parts ofAmerica, and in other Parts, to the great Hinderance and Discouragement of Trade and Navigation, and to the greatDanger and Hurt of our loving Subjects, our Allies, and all others, navigating the Seas upon their lawful Occasions. Now KNOW YE, that we being desirous to prevent the aforesaid Mischiefs, and, as much as in us lies, to bring the said Pyrates, Free Booters and Sea Rovers to Justice, have thought fit, and do hereby give and grant to the saidWilliam Kid(to whom our Commissioners for exercising the Office of Lord High Admiral ofEngland, have granted a Commission as a private Man of War, bearing Date the 11th Day ofDecember1695), and unto the Commander of the said Ship for the Time being, and unto the Officers, Mariners, and others, which shall be under your Command, full Power and Authority to apprehend, sieze, and take into your Custody as well the said CaptainThomas Too,John Ireland, CaptainThomas Wake, and CaptainWilliam Maze, orMace, as all such Pyrates, Free Booters and Sea Rovers, being either our Subjects, or of other Nations associated with them, which you shall meet with upon the Seas, or Coasts ofAmerica, or upon any other Seas or Coasts, with all their Ships and Vessels; and all such Merchandizes, Money, Goods and Wares as shall be found on Board, or with them, in Case they shall willingly yield themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting, then you are by Force to compel them to yield. And we do also require you to bring, or cause to be brought, such Pyrates, Free Booters, or Sea Rovers, as you shall seize, to a legal Tryal, to the End they may be proceeded against according to the Law in such Cases. And we do hereby command all our Officers, Ministers, and other our loving Subjects whatsover, to be aiding and assisting to you in the Premisses. And we do hereby enjoin you to keep an exact Journal of your Proceedings in the Executionof the Premisses, and set down the Names of such Pyrates, and of their Officers and Company, and the Names of such Ships and Vessels as you shall by Vertue of these Presents take and seize, and the Quantities of Arms, Ammunition, Provision and Lading of such Ships, and the true Value of the same, as near as you judge. And we do hereby strictly charge and command you as you will answer the contrary at your Peril, that you do not, in any Manner, offend or molest our Friends or Allies, their Ships, or Subjects, by Colour or Pretence of these Presents, or the Authority thereby granted. In Witness whereof we have caused our Great Seal ofEnglandto be affix’d to these Presents. Given at our Court ofKensington, the 26th Day ofJanuary1695, in the seventh Year of our Reign.’
CaptainKidhad also another Commission, which was called a Commission of Reprisals; for it being then War Time, this Commission was to justify him in the taking ofFrenchMerchant Ships, in Case he should meet with any; but as this Commission is nothing to our present Purpose, we shall not burthen the Readers with it.
With these two Commissions he sail’d out ofPlymouthinMay1696, in theAdventureGally of thirty Guns, and eighty Men; the Place he first design’d for wasNew-York; in his Voyage thither he took aFrenchBanker, but this was no Act of Pyracy, he having a Commission for that Purpose, as we have just observ’d.
When he arrived atNew Yorkhe put up Articles for engaging more Hands, it being necessary to his Ships Crew, since he proposed to deal with a desperate Enemy: The Terms he offered were, that every Man should have a Share of what was taken, reserving for himself and Owners fortyShares. Upon which Encouragement he soon increas’d his Company to a hundred and fifty five Men.
With this Company he sail’d first forMaderas, where he took in Wine and some other Necessaries; from thence he proceeded toBonavist, one of theCape de Verd Islands, to furnish the Ship with Salt, and from thence went immediately to St.Jago, another of theCape de Verd Islands, in order to stock himself with Provisions. When all this was done, he bent his Course toMadagascar, the known Rendezvouz of Pyrates; in his Way he fell in with CaptainWarren, Commadore of three Men of War; he acquainted them with his Design, kept them Company two or three Days, and then leaving them, made the best Way forMadagascar, where he arrived inFebruary1696, just nine Months from his Departure fromPlymouth.
It happen’d that at this Time the Pyrate Ships were most of them out in search of Prey; so that according to the best Intelligence CaptainKidcould get, there was not one of them at that Time about the Island, wherefore having spent some Time in watering his Ship, and taking in more Provisions, he thought of trying his Fortune on the Coast ofMalabar, where he arrived in the Month ofJunefollowing, four Months from his reachingMadagascar. Hereabouts he made an unsuccessful Cruize, touching sometimes at the Island ofMahala, sometimes at that ofJoanna, betwixtMalabarandMadagascar: His Provisions were every Day wasting, and his Ship began to want Repair; wherefore, when he was atJoanna, he found Means of borrowing a Sum of Money from someFrenchMen who had lost their Ship, but saved their Effects, and with this he purchas’d Materials for putting his Ship in good Repair.
It does not appear all this while that he had the least Design of turning Pyrate; for nearMahalaandJoannaboth, he met with severalIndianShips richly laden, to which he did not offer the least Violence, tho’ he was strong enough to have done what he pleas’d with them; and the first Outrage or Depredation I find he committed upon Mankind, was after his repairing his Ship, and leavingJoanna; he touch’d at a Place call’dMabbee, upon theRed Sea, where he took someGuinneaCorn from the Natives, by Force.
After this he sail’d toBab’sKey, a Place upon a little Island at the Entrance of theRed Sea; here it was that he first began to open himself to his Ship’s Company, and let them understand that he intended to change his Measures; for, happening to talk of theMocaFleet which was to sail that Way, he said,We have been unsuccessful hitherto, but Courage, my Boys, we’ll make our Fortunes out of this Fleet: And finding that none of them appear’d averse to it, he order’d a Boat out, well mann’d, to go upon the Coast to make Discoveries, commanding them to take a Prisoner and bring to him, or get Intelligence any Way they could. The Boat return’d in a few Days, bringing him Word, that they saw fourteen or fifteen Ships ready to sail, some withEnglish, some withDutch, and some withMoorishColours.
We cannot account for this sudden Change in his Conduct, otherwise than by supposing that he first meant well, while he had Hopes of making his Fortune by taking of Pyrates; but now, weary of ill Success, and fearing least his Owners, out of Humour at their great Expences, should dismiss him, and he should want Employment, and be mark’d out for an unlucky Man; rather, I say, than run the Hazard of Poverty, he resolved to dohis Business one Way, since he could not do it another.
He therefore order’d a Man continually to watch at the Mast Head, least this Fleet should go by them; and about four Days after, towards Evening, it appear’d in Sight, being convoy’d by oneEnglishand oneDutchMan of War.Kidsoon fell in with them, and getting into the midst of them, fir’d at aMoorishShip which was next him; but the Men of War taking the Alarm, bore down uponKid, and firing upon him, obliged him to sheer off, he not being strong enough to contend with them. Now he had begun Hostilities, he resolv’d to go on, and therefore he went and cruis’d along the Coast ofMalabar; the first Prize he met was a small Vessel belonging toAden, the Vessel wasMoorish, and the Owners wereMoorishMerchants, but the Master was anEnglishMan, his Name wasParker.Kidforc’d him and aPortuguezethat was call’dDon Antonio, which were all theEuropeanson Board, to take on with them; the first he design’d as a Pilot, and the last as an Interpreter. He also used the Men very cruelly, causing them to be hoisted up by the Arms, and drubb’d with a naked Cutlash, to force them to discover whether they had Money on Board, and where it lay; but as they had neither Gold nor Silver on Board, he got nothing by his Cruelty; however, he took from them a Bale of Pepper, and a Bale of Coffee, and so let them go.
A little Time after he touch’d atCarawar, a Place upon the same Coast, where, before he arrived, the News of what he had done to theMoorishShip had reach’d them; for some of theEnglishMerchants there had received an Account of it from the Owners, who corresponded with them; wherefore, as soon asKidcame in, he was suspected to be the Person who committed this Pyracy; and oneMr.Harveyand Mr.Mason, two of theEnglishFactory, came on Board and ask’d forParker, andAntoniothePortuguese; butKiddeny’d that he knew any such Persons, having secur’d them both in a private Place in the Hold, where they were kept for seven or eight Days, that is, tillKidsail’d from thence.
However, the Coast was alarm’d, and aPortugueseMan of War was sent out to cruize:Kidmet with her, and fought her about six Hours, gallantly enough; but finding her too strong to be taken, he quitted her; for he was able to run away from her when he would: Then he went to a Place call’dPorco, where he water’d the Ship, and bought a Number of Hogs of the Natives to victual his Company.
Soon after this, he came up with aMoorishShip, the Master whereof was aDutchMan, call’dSchipper Mitchel, and chased her underFrenchColours, which they observing, hoistedFrenchColours too: When he came up with her, he hail’d her inFrench, and they having aFrenchMan on Board, answer’d him in the same Language; upon which he order’d them to send their Boat on Board; they were oblig’d to do so, and having examin’d who they were, and from whence they came; he ask’d theFrenchMan, who was a Passenger, if he had aFrenchPass for himself? TheFrenchMan gave him to understand that he had. Then he told theFrenchMan he must pass for Captain, and by G-d, says he, you are the Captain: TheFrenchMan durst not refuse doing as he would have him: The Meaning of this was, that he would seize the Ship as fair Prize, and as if she had belong’d toFrenchSubjects, according to a Commission he had for that Purpose; tho’, one would think, after what he had already done, that he need not have Recourse to a Quibble to give his Actions a Colour.
In short, he took the Cargoe and sold it some Time after; yet still he seem’d to have some Fears upon him least these Proceedings should have a bad End; for, coming up with aDutchShip some Time, when his Men thought of nothing but attacking her,Kidoppos’d it; upon which a Mutiny arose, and the Majority being for taking the said Ship, and arming themselves to Man the Boat to go and seize her, he told them, such as did, never should come on Board him again; which put an End to the Design, so that he kept Company with the said Ship some Time, without offering her any Violence: However, this Dispute was the Occasion of an Accident, upon which an Indictment was afterwards grounded againstKid; forMoor, the Gunner, being one Day upon Deck, and talking withKidabout the saidDutchShip, some Words arose betwixt them, andMoortoldKid, that he had ruin’d them all; upon which,Kid, calling him Dog, took up a Bucket and struck him with it, which breaking his Skull, he died the next Day.
ButKid’s penitential Fit did not last long, for coasting alongMalabar, he met with a great Number of Boats, all which he plunder’d. Upon the same Coast he also light upon aPortugueseShip, which he kept Possession of a Week, and then having taken out of her some Chests ofIndiaGoods, thirty Jars of Butter, with some Wax, Iron, and a hundred Bags of Rice, he let her go.
Much about the same Time he went to one of theMalabarIslands for Wood and Water, and his Cooper being ashore, was murder’d by the Natives; upon whichKidhimself landed, and burnt and pillaged several of their Houses, the People running away; but having taken one, he caused him to be tied to a Tree, and commanded one of his Men to shoot him; then putting to Sea again he took the greatest Prize, which fell into hisHands, while he followed this Trade; this was aMoorishShip of 400 Tons richly laden, named theQuedaMerchant, the Master whereof was anEnglishMan, he was call’dWright, for theIndiansoften make Use ofEnglishorDutchMen to command their Ships, their own Mariners not being so good Artists in Navigation.—Kidchased her underFrenchColours, and having come up with her, he ordered her to hoist out her Boat, and to send on Board of him, which being done, he toldWrighthe was his Prisoner; and informing himself concerning the said Ship, he understood there were noEuropeanson Board, except twoDutch, and oneFrenchman, all the Rest beingIndiansorArmenians, and that theArmenianswere Part Owners of the Cargoe.Kidgave theArmeniansto understand, that if they would offer any Thing that was worth his taking for their Ransome, he would hearken to it: Upon which, they proposed to pay him twenty thousand Rupees, not quite three thousand Pounds Sterling; butKidjudged this would be making a bad Bargain, wherefore he rejected it, and setting the Crew on Shore, at different Places on the Coast, he soon sold as much of the Cargoe as came to near ten thousand Pounds. With Part of it he also trafficked, receiving in Exchange Provisions, or such other Goods as he wanted; by Degrees he disposed of the whole Cargoe, and when the Division was made, it came to about two hundred Pounds a Man, and having reserved forty Shares to himself, his Dividend amounted to about eight thousand Pounds Sterling.
TheIndiansalong the Coast came on Board and traffick’d with all Freedom, and he punctually performed his Bargains, till about the Time he was ready to sail; and then thinking he should have no further Occasion for them, he made no Scrupleof taking their Goods, and setting them on Shore without any Payment in Money or Goods, which they little expected; for as they had been used to deal with Pyrates, they always found them Men of Honour in the Way of Trade: A People, Enemies to Deceit, and that scorn’d to rob but in their own Way.
Kidput some of his Men on Board theQuedaMerchant, and with this Ship and his own sail’d forMadagascar; as soon as he was arrived and had cast Anchor, there came on Board of him a Canoe, in which were severalEnglishmen, who had formerly been well acquainted withKid; as soon as they saw him they saluted him, and told him, they were informed he was come to take them, and hang them, which would be a little unkind in such an old Acquaintance;Kidsoon dissipated their Doubts, by swearing he had no such Design, and that he was now in every Respect their Brother, and just as bad as they; and calling for a Cup of Bomboo, drank their Captain’s Health.
These Men belong’d to a Pyrate Ship, call’d theResolution, formerly theMoccoMerchant, whereof one CaptainCullifordwas Commander, and which lay at an Anchor not far from them;Kidwent on Board with them, promising them his Friendship and Assistance, andCullifordin his Turn came on Board ofKid; andKidto testify his Sincerity in Iniquity, findingCullifordin want of some Necessaries, made him a Present of an Anchor and some Guns, to fit him out for the Sea again.
TheAdventureGalley was now so old and leaky, that they were forced to keep two Pumps continually going, whereforeKidshifted all the Guns and Tackle out of her into theQuedaMerchant, intending her for his Man of War; and as he had divided the Money before, he now made a Division of the Remainder of the Cargo: Soon afterwhich, the greatest Part of the Company left him, some going on Board CaptainCulliford, and others absconding in the Country, so that he had not above forty Men left.
He put to Sea and happened to touch atAmboyna, one of theDutchSpice Islands, where he was told, that the News of his Actions had reach’dEngland, and that he was there declared a Pyrate.
The Truth on’t is, his Pyracies so alarmed our Merchants, that some Motions were made in Parliament, to enquire into the Commission that was given him, and the Persons who fitted him out: These Proceedings seem’d to lean a little hard upon the LordBellamont, who thought himself so much touch’d thereby, that he published a Justification of himself in a Pamphlet afterKid’s Execution. In the mean Time, it was thought adviseable, in order to stop the Course of these Pyracies, to publish a Proclamation, offering the King’s free Pardon to all such Pyrates as should voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever Pyracies they had been guilty of at any Time, before the last Day ofApril, 1699.—That is to say, for all Pyracies committed Eastward of theCapeofGood Hope, to the Longitude and Meridian ofSocatora, andCape Camorin. In which Proclamation,AveryandKidwere excepted by Name.
WhenKidleftAmboynahe knew nothing of this Proclamation, for certainly had he had Notice of his being excepted in it, he would not have been so infatuated, to run himself into the very Jaws of Danger; but relying upon his Interest with the LordBellamont, and fancying, that aFrenchPass or two he found on Board some of the Ships he took, would serve to countenance the Matter, and that Part of the Booty he got would gain him new Friends.—I say, all these Things made him flatter himself that all would be hushed, and thatJustice would but wink at him.—Wherefore he sail’d directly forNew-York, where he was no sooner arrived, but by the LordBellamont’s Orders, he was secured with all his Papers and Effects. Many of his Fellow-Adventurers who had forsook him atMadagascar, came over from thence Passengers, some toNew Englandand some toJersey; where hearing of the King’s Proclamation for pardoning of Pyrates, they surrendered themselves to the Governor of those Places: At first they were admitted to Bail, but soon after were laid in strict Confinement where they were kept for some time, till an Opportunity happened of sending them with their Captain over toEnglandto be tried.
Accordingly a Sessions of Admiralty being held at theOld Baily, inMay1701, CaptainKid,Nicholas Churchill,James How,Robert Lumley,William Jenkins,Gabriel Loff,Hugh Parrot,Richard Barlicorn,Abel Owens, andDarby Mullins, were arraign’d for Pyracy and Robbery on the High Seas, and all found guilty, except three; these wereRobert Lumley,William Jenkins, andRichard Barlicorne, who proving themselves to be Apprentices to some of the Officers of the Ship, and producing their Indentures in Court, were acquitted.
The three above-mentioned, tho’ they were proved to be concern’d in taking and sharing the Ship and Goods mentioned in the Indictment, yet, as the Gentlemen of the long Robe rightly distinguished, there was a great Difference between their Circumstances and the rest; for there must go an Intention of the Mind and a Freedom of the Will to the committing an Act of Felony or Pyracy. A Pyrate is not to be understood to be under Constraint, but a free Agent; for in this Case, the bare Act will not make a Man guilty, unless the Will make it so.
Now a Servant, it is true, if he go voluntarily and have his Proportion, he must be accounted a Pyrate, for then he acts upon his own Account, and not by Compulsion; and these Persons, according to the Evidence, received their Part, but whether they accounted to their Masters for their Shares afterwards, is the Matter in Question, and what distinguishes them as free Agents or Men, that did go under the Compulsion of their Masters, which being left to the Consideration of the Jury, they found them Not Guilty.
Kidwas tryed upon an Indictment of Murder also,viz.for killingMoorthe Gunner, and found guilty of the same.Nicholas ChurchillandJames Howpleaded the King’s Pardon, as having surrendered themselves within the Time limited in the Proclamation, and ColonelBass, Governor ofWest Jersey, to whom they surrendered, being in Court, and called upon, proved the same; however, this Plea was over-ruled by the Court, because there being four Commissioners named in the Proclamation,viz.CaptainThomas Warren,Israel Hayes,Peter Delannoye, andChristopher Pollard, Esqrs; who were appointed Commissioners, and sent over on Purpose to receive the Submissions of such Pyrates as should surrender, it was adjudged no other Person was qualified to receive their Surrender, and that they could not be intitled to the Benefit of the said Proclamation, because they had not in all Circumstances complied with the Conditions of it.
Darby Mullinsurg’d in his Defence, that he serv’d under the King’s Commission, and therefore could not disobey his Commander without incurring great Punishments; that whenever a Ship or Ships went out upon any Expedition under the King’s Commissioners, the Men were never allowed to call their Officers to an Account, why they did this,or, why they did that, because such a Liberty would destroy all Discipline; that if any Thing was done which was unlawful, the Officers were to answer it, for the Men did no more than their Duty in obeying Orders. He was told by the Court, that acting under the Commission justified in what was lawful, but not in what was unlawful; he answered, he stood in Need of nothing to justify him in what was lawful, but that the Case of Seamen must be very hard, if they must be brought into such Danger for obeying the Commands of their Officers, and punished for not obeying them; and if they were allowed to dispute the Orders, there could be no such Thing as Command kept up at Sea.
This seem’d to be the best Defence the Thing could bear; but his taking a Share of the Plunder, the Seamens mutinying on Board several Times, and taking upon them to controul the Captain, shewed there was no Obedience paid to the Commission; and that they acted in all Things according to the Custom of Pyrates and Free-booters, which weighing with the Jury, they brought him in guilty with the rest.
As to Capt.Kid’s Defence, he insisted much upon his own Innocence, and the Villany of his Men; he said, he went out in a laudable Employment, and had no Occasion, being then in good Circumstances, to go a Pyrating; that the Men often mutinied against him, and did as they pleas’d; that he was threatened to be shot in his Cabin, and that Ninety five left him at one Time, and set Fire to his Boat, so that he was disabled from bringing his Ship home, or the Prizes he took, to have them regularly condemn’d, which he said were taken by Virtue of a Commission under the Broad Seal, they havingFrenchPasses.—The Captain called one Col.Hewsonto his Reputation, who gave him anextraordinary Character, and declared to the Court, that he had served under his Command, and been in two Engagements with him against theFrench, in which he fought as well as any Man he ever saw; that there were onlyKid’s Ship and his own against Monsieurdu Cass, who commanded a Squadron of six Sail, and they got the better of him.—But this being several Years before the Facts mentioned in the Indictment were committed, prov’d of no manner of Service to the Prisoner on his Tryal.
As to the Friendship shewn toCulliford, a notorious Pyrate,Kiddeny’d, and said, he intended to have taken him, but his Men being a Parcel of Rogues and Villains refused to stand by him, and several of them ran away from his Ship to the said Pyrate.—But the Evidence being full and particular against him, he was found guilty as before mentioned.
WhenKidwas asked what he had to say why Sentence should not pass against him, he answered, Thathe had nothing to say, but that he had been sworn against by perjured wicked People. And when Sentence was pronounced, he said,My Lord, it is a very hard Sentence. For my Part, I am the innocentest Person of them all, only I have been sworn against by perjured Persons.
Wherefore about a Week after, Capt.Kid,Nicholas Churchill,James How,Gabriel Loff,Hugh Parrot,Abel Owen, andDarby Mullins, were executed atExecution Dock, and afterwards hung up in Chains, at some Distance from each other, down the River, where their Bodies hung exposed for many Years.
BeforeI enter on the Adventures of this Pyrate, I must take Notice to the Reader of the Reasons which made me not continue the Life ofMisson.
In reading the Notes, which I have by me, relating to CaptainTew, I found him join’d withMisson; and that I must either be guilty of Repetition, or give an Account ofTewinMisson’s Life, which is contrary to the Method I propos’d, that of giving a distinct Relation of every Pyrate who has made any Figure: And surelyTew, in Point of Gallantry, was inferior to none, and may justly claim a particular Account of his Actions.
However, before I enter on the Life of this Pyrate, I shall continue that ofMissonto the Time that these two Commanders met.
The Blacks seeing them so much upon their Guard, brought out boiled Rice and Fowls, and after they had satisfied their Hunger, the Chief made Signs that they were the same who had carried a Negroe to their Ships, and sent for the Ax and Piece of Baze they had given him: While this pass’d, the very Negroe came from hunting,who seem’d overjoy’d to see them. The Chief made Signs that they might return, and ten Negroes coming to them laden with Fowls and Kids; he gave them to understand, they should accompany them to their Ships with these Presents.
They parted very amicably, and in hopes of settling a good Correspondence with these Natives; all the Houses were neatly framed and jointed, not built from any Foundation, but so made, that half a dozen Men could lift and transport them from Place to Place; and sometimes a whole Village shall be in Motion, which would be an odd Sight inEurope, and surprizing to see Houses moving. The Hunters returning to their Ships, with these Presents and Negroes, were joyfully received; and the Negroes not only caressed, but laden with Baze, Iron Kettles, and Rum, besides the Present of a Cutlash for the Chief.
While the Negroes stay’d, which was the Space of three Days, they examined and admired the Forts and growing Town, in which all Hands were busied, and not even the Prisoners excused.
As MonsieurMissonapprehended no Danger from the Land, his Fort (tho’ of Wood) being, he thought, a sufficient Defence to his infant Colony; he took a hundred and sixty Hands, and went a second Time on the Coast ofZanguebor, and offQuiloahe gave Chase to a large Ship, which lay by for him: She prov’d an over-match for theVictoire, which engag’d her, with great Loss of Men, near eight Glasses; but finding he was more likely to be took, than to make a Prize, by the Advice of his Officers and Men, endeavour’d to leave thePortuguese, which was a 50 Gun Ship, and had 300 Men on Board; but he found this Attempt vain, for thePortuguesewent as well as theVictoire, and the Commander was a resolute and brave Man, who, seeing him endeavour to shake him off,clapp’d him on Board, but lost most of the Men he enter’d.Misson’s Crew not used to be attack’d, and expecting no Quarter, fought so desperately, that they not thoroly clear’d their Decks, but some of them follow’d thePortuguese, who leap’d into their own Ship; whichMissonseeing, hop’d to make an Advantage of their Despair, and crying out,Elle est a nous, a l’abordage. She’s our own, board, board her, so many of his Men followed the few, that hardly were there enough left to work the Ship;Missonobserving this Resolution in his Men, grappled thePortugueseShip, and leap’d himself on Board, crying out,la Mort, ou la Victoire, Death or Victory. ThePortuguese, who thought themselves in a manner Conquerors, seeing the Enemy not only drive off those who enter’d them, but board with that Resolution, began to quit the Decks in Spight of their Officers: The Captain andMissonmet, as he was endeavouring to hinder the Flight of his Men; they engaged with equal Bravery with their Cutlashes; butMissonstriking him on the Neck, he fell down the main Hatch, which put an End to the Fight, for thePortugueseseeing their Captain fall, threw down their Arms, and call’d for Quarters, which was granted; and all the Prisoners without Distinction being order’d between Decks, and the Powder-Room secured, he put 35 Men on Board the Prize, and made the best of his Way forLibertatia. This was the dearest Prize he ever made, for he lost fifty six Men: She was vastly rich in Gold, having near 200,000 l. Sterling on Board, being her own and the Cargo of her Companion, which was lost upon the Coast, of whose Crew she had saved 100 Men out of 120, the rest being lost, by endeavouring to swim ashore; whereas had their Fear suffer’d them to have staid, there had not been a Soul lost, the Tide of Ebb leaving their Ship dry:This was the Reason that the Prize was so well mann’d, and proved so considerable.
Being within Sight ofMadagascar, they spied a Sloop which stood for them, and when in Gun-Shot, threw out black Colours, and fired a Gun to Windward;Missonbrought to, fired another to Leeward, and hoisted out his Boat, which the Sloop perceiving, lay by for.Misson’s Lieutenant went on Board, and was received very civilly by CaptainTew, who was the Commander, to whom the Lieutenant gave a short Account of their Adventures and new Settlement, inviting him very kindly on Board CaptainMisson.Tewtold him, he could not consent to go with him till he had the Opinion of his Men; in the mean whileMisson, coming along-side, hal’d the Sloop, and invited the Captain on Board, desiring his Lieutenant would stay as an Hostage, if they were in the least jealous of him; which they had no Reason to be, since he was of Force so much superior, that he need not employ Stratagem. This determined the Company on Board the Sloop, who advised their Captain to go with the Lieutenant, whom they would not suffer to stay behind, to shew the greater Confidence in their new Friends.
My Reader may be surprized that a single Sloop should venture to give Chase to two Ships of such Countenance as were theVictoireand her Prize: But this Wonder will cease, when he is acquainted with the Sequel.
CaptainTewafter being handsomely regal’d on Board theVictoire, and thoroughly satisfied, returned on Board his Sloop, gave an Account of what he had learned, and his Men consenting, he gave Orders to steer the same Course withMisson, whose Settlement it was agreed to visit.
I shall here leave them to give an Account of CaptainTew.
Mr.Richier, Governor ofBermudas, fitted out two Sloops on the Privateer Account, commanded by CaptainGeorge Drew, and CaptainThomas Tew, with Instructions to make the best of their Way to the RiverGambiainAfrica, and there, with the Advice and Assistance of the Agent for the RoyalAfricanCompany, to attempt the taking theFrenchFactory ofGoorieon that Coast.
The above Commanders having their Commissions and Instructions from the Governor, took their Departure fromBermudas, and kept Company some Time; butDrewspringing his Mast, and a violent Storm coming upon them, they lost each other.
Tewbeing separated from his Consort, thought of providing for his future case, by making one bold Push; and accordingly, calling all Hands on Deck, he spoke to them to this Purpose.
‘That they were not ignorant of the Design with which the Governor fitted them out; the taking and destroying theFrenchFactory; that he, indeed, readily agreed to take a Commission to this end, tho’ contrary to his Judgment, because it was being employ’d; but that he thought it a very injudicious Expedition, which did they succeed in, would be of no Use to the Publick, and only advantage a private Company of Men, from whom they could expect no Reward of their Bravery; that he could see nothing but Danger in the Undertaking, without the least Prospect of a Booty; that he could not suppose any Man fond of fighting, for fighting-sake; and few ventured their Lives, but with some View either of particular Interest or publick Good; but here was not the least Appearance of either. Wherefore, he was of Opinion, that they should turn their Thoughts on what might better their Circumstances; and if they were so inclined, hewould undertake to shape a Course which should lead them to Ease and Plenty, in which they might pass the rest of their Days. That one bold Push would do their Business, and they might return home, not only without Danger, but even with Reputation.’The Crew finding he expected their Resolution, cry’d out, one and all,A gold Chain, or a wooden Leg, we’ll stand by you.
Hearing this, he desired they would chuse a Quarter Master, who might consult with him for the Common Good; which was accordingly done.
I must acquaint the Reader, that on Board theWest-IndiaPrivateers and Free-booters, the Quarter Master’s Opinion is like the Mufti’s among theTurk’s; the Captain can undertake nothing which the Quarter Master does not approve. We may say, the Quarter Master is an humble Imitation of theRomanTribune of the People; he speaks for, and looks after the Interest of the Crew.
Tewnow, instead of his proceeding on his Voyage toGambia, shaped his Course for the Cape ofGood Hope, which doubling, he steered for the Streights ofBabel Mandel, entring into theRed Sea, where they came up with a tall Ship bound from theIndiestoArabia; she was richly laden, and as she was to clear the Coasts of Rovers, five more, extreamly rich (one especially in Gold) being to follow her, she had 300 Soldiers on Board, beside her Seamen.
Tew, on making this Ship, told his Men she carried their Fortunes, which they would find no Difficulty to take Possession of; for though he was satisfied she was full of Men, and was mounted with a great Number of Guns, they wanted the two Things necessary, Skill and Courage; and,indeed, so it proved, for he boarded and carried her without Loss, every one taking more Care to run from the Danger, than to exert himself in the Defence of his Goods.
In rummaging this Prize, the Pyrates threw over a great many rich Bales, to search for Gold, Silver, and Jewels; and, having taken what they thought proper, together with the Powder, part of which (as being more than they could handsomely stow) they threw into the Sea; they left her, sharing 3000 l. Sterling a Man.
Encouraged by this Success, CaptainTewproprosed the going in quest of the other five Ships, of which he had Intelligence from the Prize; but the Quarter-Master opposing him, he was obliged to drop the Design, and steer forMadagascar.
Here the Quarter Master finding this Island productive of all the Necessaries of Life; that the Air was wholesome, the Soil fruitful, and the Sea abounding with Fish, proposed settling; but only three and twenty of the Crew came into the Proposal: The rest staid with CaptainTew, who having given the new Settlers their Share of Plunder, designed to return toAmerica, as they afterwards did; but spying theVictoireand her Prize, he thought he might, by their Means, return somewhat richer, and resolved to speak with them, as I have already said.
Tewand his Company having taken the above Resolution of visiting Mons.Misson’s Colony, arrived with him, and was not a little surprized to see his Fortifications.
When they came under the first Fort, they saluted it with nine Guns, and they were answered with an equal Number; all the Prisoners, at their coming to an Anchor, were suffer’d to come up, a Privilege they had never before granted them,on account of the few Hands left them, except two or three at a time.
The Joy those ashore expressed at the Sight of so considerable a Prize as they judged her at first Sight, was vastly allay’d, when they heard how dear a Purchase she had prov’d to them; however, the Reinforcement of the Sloop made some amends; CaptainTewwas received byCaraccioliand the rest, with great Civility and Respect, who did not a little admire his Courage, both in attacking the Prize he made, and afterwards in giving Chase toMisson; he was called to the Council of Officers, which was immediately held, to consider what Methods should be taken with the Prisoners, who were, by 190 brought in by this new Prize, near as numerous as those of his own Party, thoughTewjoin them with 70 Men; it was therefore resolved to keep them separate from thePortugueseandEnglish, who were before taken, to make them believe they were in Amity with a Prince of the Natives, who was very powerful, and to propose to them, at their Choice, the assisting the new Colony in their Works, or the being sent Prisoners up the Country, if they rejected the entering with them. Seventy three took on, and the rest desired they might be any way employ’d, rather than be sent up the Country; 117 then were set to Work upon a Dock, which was laid out about half a Mile above the Mouth of the Harbour, and the other Prisoners were forbid to pass such Bounds as were prescribed them on Pain of Death; lest they, knowing their own Strength, should revolt; for I must acquaint the Reader, that on the Arrival of theVictoire, both their Loss and the Number ofPortuguesethey brought in, was known to none but themselves, and the Number of those who came over, magnified; besides,theJohannaMen were all arm’d and disciplin’d, and theBijouxlaid a Guardship, where the last Prisoners were set to Work; but while they provided for their Security, both within and without, they did not neglect providing also for their Support, for they dug and sow’d a large Plat of Ground withIndianandEuropeanCorn, and other Seeds which they had found on Board their Prizes. In the mean whileCaraccioli, who had the Art of Perswasion, wrought on many of thePortuguese, who saw no Hopes of returning home, to join them.Misson, who could not be easy in an inactive Life, would have taken another Cruize; but fearing the Revolt of the Prisoners, durst not weaken his Colony by the Hands he must necessarily take with him: Wherefore, he propos’d giving the last Prize to, and sending away the Prisoners.Carracioliand CaptainTewwere against it, saying, that it would discover their Retreat, and cause their being attacked by theEuropeans, who had Settlements along the Continent, before they were able to defend themselves.Missonreply’d, he could not bear to be always diffident of those about him; that it was better die once, than live in continual Apprehensions of Death. That the Time was come for the sending away theJohannaMen, and that they could not go without a Ship, neither durst he trust a Ship out, not well mann’d, nor man her while so many Prisoners were with him. Wherefore there was a Necessity of sending them off, or of putting them all to the Sword. A Barbarity by which he would not purchase his Security. A Council was called, and what CaptainMissonhad proposed, agreed to. The Prisoners were then summon’d and he told them, in few Words, that he knew the Consequence of giving them Liberty; that he expected to be attacked as soon as the Place of his Retreat was known, and had it in his Hands, by putting them to Death toavoid the doubtful Fate of War; but his Humanity would not suffer him to entertain a Thought so cruel, and his Alliances with the Natives, he hoped, would enable him to repel his Assailants; but he required an Oath of every one, that he should not serve against him: He then enquired into the Circumstances of every particular Man, and what they had lost, all which he return’d, telling the Company it should be reckoned as Part of his Share, and the Prisoners, that he did not make War with the Oppressed, but the Oppressors. The Prisoners were charm’d with this Mark of Generosity and Humanity, and wished he might never meet a Treatment unworthy of that he gave them. The Ship being victualled for a Voyage to the Coast ofZanguebar, all her Guns and Ammunitions taken out, with the spare Sails, and spare Rigging, all were ordered to be gone, and 137 departed, highly applauding the Behaviour of their Enemies. All this while they had heard nothing from the Natives, nor had the hunting Parties met with any of them, which madeMissonsuspect they were afraid of his being their Neighbour, and had shifted their Quarters; but as theJohannaMen were upon going away, there came about 50 Negroes to them, driving about 100 Head of black Cattle, 20 Negroe Men bound, and 25 Women, for which Cattle and Prisoners they barter’d Rum, Hatchets, Baze and Beads; some Hogsheads of which last Commodity they had taken on the Coast ofAngola. Here the Negroes belonging toMissonwere provided with Wives: The Natives were caress’d, and to the Slaves Signs made that their Liberty was given them, they were immediately cloathed and put under the Care of as many Whites, who, by all possible Demonstrations, endeavoured to make them understand that they were Enemies to Slavery. TheNatives staid ten Days, which retarded the Departure of theJohannaMen; but, upon their retiring, theBijouxsailed with 100 of them on Board, under the command ofCaraccioli’s Lieutenant, who excused the keeping them a Month longer than was promised, and not bringing them at once, having no more than two Ships. ThePortugueseShip, which was unrigg’d, being made a Hulk, the ten Men ofMisson’s Company who had settled atJohanna, being desirous to return, were brought toLibertatiawith their Wives (of which they had two and three a piece) and their Children, theBijoux, at two more Voyages, carried over the rest of theJohannians.
Missonhove down theBijoux, and resolving on a Cruise on the Coast ofGuiney, to strengthen his Colony by the Capture of some slaving Ship, he gave the Command of her to CaptainTew, and he andCaracciolipress’d the Work of the Dock; he gave him also 200 Hands, of which 40 werePortuguese, 37 Negroes, 17 of them expert Sailors, 30English, and the restFrench.Tewmet with nothing in his Way till he came to the Northward of the Cape ofGood Hope, when he fell in with aDutch East-IndiaGalley of 18 Guns, which he took after a small Resistance, and with the Loss of one Man only; on the Coast ofAngolahe took anEnglishMan with 240 Slaves, Men, Women, and Boys. The Negroes, who had before been taken on this Coast, found among these a great many of their Acquaintance, and several of their Relations, to whom they reported their happy and unexpected change of Fortune, the great Captain (for so they now calledMisson) humanly having knocked off their Chains, and of Slaves made them free Men, and Sharers in his Fortunes. That the same good Fortune had attended them intheir falling into his Hands, for he abhorr’d even the Name of Slavery.Tewfollowing the Orders, and acquainted with the Policy ofMisson, order’d their Fetters and Handcuffs to be taken off, upon his Negroe Sailors, assuring him they would not revolt, and were sensible of their Happiness in falling into his Hands. Content with these Prizes, he made the best of his Way home toLibertatia, where he arrived without any sinister Accident; but I forgot to tell my Reader, that he set hisDutchPrisoners (nine excepted, who took on with him) ashore, about 30 Miles to the Northward of the Cape, inSoldiniaBay, where had been buried, by CaptainMisson, theEnglishCommander; he found a great Quantity ofEnglishCrowns on Board hisDutchPrize, which were carried into the common Treasury, Money being of no Use where every Thing was in common, and no Hedge bounded any particular Man’s Property. The Slaves he had released in this last Cruize were employ’d in the perfecting the Dock, and treated on the Foot of free People. They were not ignorant of the Change of their Condition, and were therefore extreamly diligent and faithful. A White Man, or one of the old standing Negroes, wrought with every four, and made them understand theFrenchWords (by often Repetition, and the Help of their Country Mens interpreting) used in their Works.Missonordered a couple of Sloops to be built in a Creek, of 80 Tun each, which he mounted with 8 Guns a piece, out of theDutchPrize. These were perfected in a little Time, and proved not only shapely Vessels, but excellent Sailors. The Officers of these Sloops were chosen by ballotting, and as their first Design was only to discover and lay down a Chart of the Coast, Sands, Shoals, and Depths of Water round the Island ofMadagascar;The School Master being sent for that Reason with the Command of one,Tewdesired, and had the other. They were mann’d, each Sloop with 50 Whites and 50 black Men. Which Voyage round the Island was of vast Advantage in giving the new releasedAngolaNegroes a Notion of the working a Vessel; and they were very industrious both in endeavouring to learn theFrenchLanguage, and to be useful. These Sloops, the one of which was called theChildhood, and the other theLiberty, were near four Months on this Expedition; in the mean while a few of the Natives had come often to the Settlement, and they began to speak a little brokenFrench, mix’d with the otherEuropeanLanguages, which they heard amongMisson’s People, and six of the native Families fixed among them, which was of vast Use to the Planters of this new Colony; for they made a very advantageous Report to their Country Men of the Regularity and Harmony they observed in them. The Sloops being return’d, and an exact Chart taken of the Coast,Carracciolihad a mind for a Cruize; he proposed the visiting all the neighbouring Islands, accordingly he went out toMascarenas, and the other Islands near it, taking one half of his Crew of Negroes, and return’d with aDutchPrize, which he took off the abovementioned Island, where they were about fixing a Colony. This Prize, as it had on Board all Sorts ofEuropeanGoods, and Necessaries for settling, was more valuable than if it had been vastly richer. The Negroes growing useful Hands,Missonresolved on a Cruize to the Northward, encouraged byTew’s Success; and, with all the Blacks, which he divided between the two Ships, one of which CaptainTewcommanded, set out with 500 Men: Off the Coast ofArabia Fœlix, they fell in with a Ship belonging to theGreat Mogul, bound forZidon, with Pilgrims toMecca, who, withMoorMariners, made up the Number of 1600 Souls. This Ship carried 110 Guns, but made a very poor Defence, being encumber’d with the Goods and Number of Passengers they carried. The two Adventurers did not think it their Business to cannonade, they therefore boarded as soon as they came up with her, and theMoorsno sooner saw them enter’d, but they discharged one Volley of small Arms at Random, we may suppose, because no Execution was done, and fled the Decks. Being Masters of this Ship, which did not cost them a single Man, they consulted what they should do with her, and the Prisoners, and it was resolved to set them ashore betweenAinandAden; but as they wanted Women, to keep all the unmarried, and to navigate the Ship toLibertatia; as the Guns might be of Use to them; and, by letting her go, or sinking, they might lose, perhaps, a considerable Booty, which theMoors, might have hid in her Cielings or Ballast.
This Resolution was put in Execution, and they brought off 100 Girls, from 12 to 18 Years old, who designed to make the Pilgrimage with their Parents. The Lamentations this Separation caused among the Prisoners, had such Effect onMisson, that he was for letting them go, but every one of his Men were against him. They now made the best of their Way forMadagascar, putting 200 Hands on board the Prize, which proved a very heavy Sailer, and retarded them very much. Off the CapeGuarde Finthey were overtaken with a cruel Storm, which was very near wrecking them on the Island calledIrmanos; but the Wind coming about due North, they had the good Luck to escape this Danger. Though the Fury of the Wind abated, yet it blew so hard for 12 Days together, that they could only carry their Coursesreef’d. They spy’d a Sail in their Passage, but the Weather would not permit their endeavouring to speak with her. In a Word, they return’d toLibertatiawith their Prize, without any other Accident, but the Captors could make no Estimate of her Value, she having on Board a vast Quantity of Diamonds, besides rich Silks, raw Silks, Spices, Carpets, and wrought and bar Gold. The Prize was taken to pieces, as she was of no Use; her Cordage and knee Timber preserv’d, with all the Bolts, Eyes, Chains, and other Iron Work, and her Guns planted on two Points of the Harbour, where they raised Batteries, so that they were now so strongly fortified they apprehended no Danger from any Number of Shipping which could be brought into those Seas to attack them. They had, by this Time, clear’d, sown, and enclosed a good Parcel of Ground, and taken in a Quantity of Pasturage, where they had above 300 Head of black Cattle, bought of the Natives. The Dock was now finish’d, and theVictoiregrowing old and unfit for a long Voyage, and the last Storm having shook and loosened her very much, she was pull’d to pieces and rebuilt, keeping the same Name. She was rigg’d, victuall’d, and fit to go to Sea, and was to sail to the Coast ofGuineafor more Negroes, when one of the Sloops came in, which had been sent out rather to exercise the Negroes, than with any View of making a Prize, and brought Word five tall Ships chac’d her into the Bay, and stood for their Harbour; that she judg’d them to bePortugueseby their Built, and 50 Gun Ships, full of Men. This prov’d the real Truth. The Alarm was given, the Forts and Batteries mann’d, and every Man stood to his Arms.Missontook upon him the Command of 100 Negroes, who were well disciplin’d, (for every Morning they had been used to perform their Exercise,which was taught them by aFrenchSerjeant, one of their Company, who belong’d to theVictoire) to be ready where his Assistance should be requir’d.Tewcommanded all theEnglish. They had hardly order’d their Affairs when these Ships hove in Sight, and stood directly for the Harbour withPortugueseColours. They were warmly received by the two Forts, which did not stop them, though it brought one of them on the Careen; they enter’d the Harbour, and thought they had done their Business, but were saluted so warmly from the Forts and Batteries, Sloops and Ships, that two of them sunk downright, and a great many Men were drowned, though some got on Board the other Ships. ThePortuguese, who did not imagine they had been so well fortified, and thought in passing the two Forts they should, without Difficulty, land their Men, and easily root out this Nest of Pyrates, found now their Mistake, for they durst not venture to hoist out a Boat. They had wisely, however, contriv’d to enter just before the Turn of the Tide. Finding the Attempt vain, and that they lost a great many Men, they clapp’d upon a Wind, and with the Help of the Tide of Ebb, made more Haste out than they did to get in, leaving two of their Ships sunk in the Harbour; but they did not get off so cheaply, for no sooner were they clear of the Forts, butMissonmanning, with the utmost Expedition, both the Ships and the Sloops, he gave them Chase, and engag’d them at the Mouth of the Bay. ThePortuguesedefended themselves with a great deal of Gallantry, and one of them put off theLibertatianstwice, who boarded them from the two Sloops; two of them, finding themselves hard press’d, made a running Fight, and got off, and left the third to shift as well as he could. TheBijouxandVictoirefinding thePortugueseendeavour’dto clear themselves, and knowing there was little to be got by the Captures, gave over the Chase, and fell upon the third, who defended himself till his Decks swam with Blood, and the greater Number of his Men killed; but finding all Resistance vain, and that he was left to an unequal Fight by his Companions, he called for Quarter, and good Quarter was given, both to himself and Men. This Prize yielded them a great Quantity of Powder and Shot, and, indeed, they expected nothing of Value out of her. None of the Prisoners were stripp’d, and the Officers,Misson,CaraccioliandTew, invited to their Tables, treating them very civilly, and extolling the Courage they had shewn in their Defence. Unhappily two Prisoners were found on Board, who had been released, and had sworn never to serve against them; these were clapp’d in Irons, and publickly tried for their Perjury. ThePortugueseOfficers being present, the Witnesses proved them the very discharged Men, and they were condemned to be hanged at the Point of each Fort; which Execution was performed the next Morning after their Condemnation, with the Assistance of thePortugueseChaplain, who attended, confess’d and absolv’d them. This was the Engagement with the Pyrates, which made so much Noise in theLisbonGazette, and these the Men whom theEnglishignorantly took forAvery; who, we had a Notion here inLondon, had 32 Sail of Men of War, and had taken upon him the State and Title of King, a Mistake we have already spoken to in the first Volume.
This Execution seeming to impugn the Maxims of the Chiefs,Caracciolimade an Harangue, in which he told them, that there was no Rule could be laid down which did not allow Exceptions: That they were all sensible how tender the Commadore,MonsieurMisson, was in shedding of Blood; and that it was a Tenet of his Faith, that none had Power over the Life of another, but God alone, who gave it; but notwithstanding, Self-Preservation sometimes made it absolutely necessary to take away the Life of another, especially an avow’d and an obliged Enemy, even in cool Blood. As to the Blood shed in a lawful War, in Defence of that Liberty they had generously asserted, it was needless to say any Thing, but thought it proper to lay before them Reasons for the Execution of the Criminals, and the Heinousness of their Crimes. They had not only received their Lives from the Bounty of theLibertatians, but their Liberty, and had every Thing restored them which they laid claim to, consequently their Ingratitude rose in Proportion to the generous Treatment they had met with. That, indeed, both he and CaptainMissonwould have passed by the Perjury and Ingratitude they had been guilty of, with a corporal Punishment, which had not extended to the Deprivation of Life, but their gallant Friend and Companion theEnglishCommander, CaptainTew, used such cogent Reasons for an exemplary Punishment, to deter others from the like Crimes, that they must have been Enemies to their own Preservation in not following his Advice. That the Lives of their whole Body ought to be preferr’d to those of declared and perjured Enemies, who would not cease to endeavour their Ruin; and, as they were well acquainted with their Settlement, might be fatal Instruments of it, if they were again restored to that Liberty which they had already abused. That he was obliged to do CaptainTewthe Justice, to acknowledge he was inclined to the Side of Mercy, till he was thoroughly informed of the Blackness of their Ingratitude, and then he thought it would be Cruelty to themselvesto let those Miscreants experience a second Time their Clemency; thus an absolute Necessity had obliged them to act contrary to their declar’d Principles; tho’, to state the Case rightly, these Men, not theLibertatians, were the Authors of their own Deaths: Here the Assembly crying out,their Blood is on their own Heads, they sought their Deaths, and hanging was too good for them;Caraccioligave over, and every one returned satisfied to his private or the publick Affairs.
Some Differences arising betweenMisson’s andTew’s Men, on a national Quarrel, which the latter began; CaptainTewproposed their deciding the Quarrel by the Sword, butCaraccioliwas entirely against it, alledging, that such a Decision must necessarily be a Damage to the Publick, since the brave Men who fell, would be a weakening of their Colony; he therefore desired CaptainTewto interpose the Authority he had over his Crew, as he andMissonwould endeavour to bring their Men to an amicable Agreement; and for the future, as this Accident proved the Necessity, wholesome Laws should be made, and a Form of Government entered upon, both Parties were call’d, andCaracciolishew’d them the Necessity of their living in Unity among themselves, who had the whole World for Enemies; and as he had a perswasive and insinuating Way of Argument, with the Assistance of CaptainTew, this Affair was ended to the Satisfaction of both Parties.
The next Day the whole Colony was assembled, and the three Commanders propos’d a Form of Government, being taken up, as necessary to their Conservation; for where there were no coercive Laws, the weakest would always be the Sufferers, and every Thing must tend to Confusion: That Mens Passions blinding them to Justice, and making them ever partial to themselves, they ought to submitthe Differences which might arise to calm and disinterested Persons, who could examine with Temper, and determine according to Reason and Equity: That they look’d upon a Democratical Form, where the People were themselves the Makers and Judges of their own Laws, the most agreeable; and therefore, desired they would divide themselves into Companies of ten Men, and every such Company chuse one to assist in the settling a Form of Government, and in making wholesome Laws for the Good of the whole: That the Treasure and Cattle they were Masters of should be equally divided, and such Lands as any particular Man would enclose, should, for the future, be deem’d his Property, which no other should lay any Claim to, if not alienated by a Sale.
The Proposal was received with Applause, and they decimated themselves that very Day, but put off the meeting of the States till a House was built, which they set about very chearfully, and finish’d in about a Fortnight; it being of framed Timber, and they having among them a great many who understood the handling an Ax.
When this Body of Politicians met,Caraccioliopen’d the Sessions with a handsome Speech, shewing the Advantage flowing from Order; and then spoke to the Necessity of lodging a supream Power in the Hands of one, who should have that of rewarding brave and vertuous Actions, and of punishing the vicious, according to the Laws which the State should make; by which, he was to be guided. That such a Power however should not be for Life, nor hereditary, but determinate at the end of three Years, when a new Choice should be made by the State, or the Old confirm’d for three Years longer; by which means, the ablest Men would always be at the Head of Affairs, and their Power being of short Duration, none would dare to abuseit: That such a Chief should have the Title of Lord Conservator, and all the Ensigns of Royalty to attend him.
This was approv’dNemine contradicente, andMissonwas chose Conservator, with Power to create great Officers,&c.and with the Title of Supream Excellence.
Then a Law was made for the meeting of the State once every Year at least, but oftner, if the Conservator and his Council thought it necessary for the common Good to convene them; and that nothing of Moment should be undertaken without the Approbation of the State.
In a Word, their first Sessions lasted ten Days; and a great many wholesome Laws were enacted, register’d in the State-Book, printed and dispers’d (for they had some Printers and Letter Founders among them) and then the Conservator dissolved them.
CaptainTew, the Conservator, honoured with the Title of Admiral, andCaracciolimade Secretary of State; he chose a Council of the ablest among them, without Distinction of Nation or Colour; and the different Languages began to be incorporated, and one made out of the many: An equal Division was made of their Treasure and Cattle, and every one began either to inclose Land for himself or his Neighbour, who would hire his Assistance.
AdmiralTewpropos’d the building an Arsenal, and augmenting their Naval Force; the first was agreed to be propos’d to the State at the next Convention, but the latter was thought unnecessary, till the Number of Inhabitants was augmented; for should they all be employed in the Sea Service, the Husbandry would be neglected, which would be of fatal Consequence to the growing Colony.
The Admiral then proposed the fetching in thoseEnglishmenwho had followed the Quarter Master; but the Council rejected this, alledging, that as they deserted their Captain, it was a Mark of a mutinous Temper, and they might infect others with a Spirit of Disorder; that however, they might have Notice given them of the Settlement, and if they made it their earnest Intreaty to be admitted, and would desert the Quarter-Master, it should be granted as a particular Favour done them, at the instance of the Admiral, and upon his engaging his Parole of Honour for their quiet Behaviour.
The Admiral then desired he might take a Cruize; that he hop’d to meet with someEast-IndiaShips, and bring in some Voluntiers, for the Number of Subjects being the Riches of a Nation, he thought the Colony stood more in need of Men, than of any Thing else; that he would lie in the Way of the Cape, and did not question doing good Service; and as he went to the Northward, would call upon his own Men.
TheVictoirewas according to the Admiral’s Desire fitted out, and in few Days he sail’d with 300 Men on board; he came to an Anchor at the Settlement his Men had made, and hoisted anEnglishEnsign in his Fore Shrouds, and fir’d a Gun; but after he had waited some Time, perceiving no Signal from the Shore, he landed and sent back his Boat; soon after the Boat was returned towards the Ship, two of his Men came up to him, to whom he gave an Account ofMisson’s Settlement: They invited him into the Wood to see that of theirs, and to advise with their Companions, about the propos’d Migration. The Governor,aliàsQuarter-Master, received him mighty civilly, but told him, that he could see no Advantage to themselves in changing their present Situation, tho’they might prove a great One to the new Colony, by adding to their Force so many brave Fellows: That they there enjoy’d all the Necessaries of Life; were free and independent of all the World; and it would be Madness again to subject themselves to any Government, which, however mild, still exerted some Power. That he was Governor for three Months, by the Choice of his Companions; but his Power extended no farther than to the judging in Matters of small Difference which might arise, which he hop’d to do impartially while his Authority continued; that they had agreed among themselves, and confirm’d that Agreement by Oath, to support the Decrees of the Governor for the Time, that their Tranquillity might not be disturb’d by the capricious Humour of any one Man; and that this Power of determining, was to devolve at the Expiration of three Months, to him on whom the Lot should fall by balloting, provided he had not before enjoyed the Honour, for such a one was not to draw; by which Agreement, every one would be raised, in Time, to the supream Command, which prevented all canvassing and making Interest for Votes, as when it determined by Suffrage; left no Open for making Divisions and Parties, and was a Means to continue to them that Repose inseparable from a Unity among themselves. However, continu’d he, if you will go toAmericaorEurope, and shew the Advantages which may accrue to theEnglish, by fixing a Colony here, out of that Love we bear our Country, and to wipe away the odious Appellation of Pyrates, with Pleasure we’ll submit to any who shall come with a Commission from a lawful Government; but ’tis ridiculous to think we will become Subjects to greater Rogues than our selves; and that you may know what to say on this Head, if you think it expedient to followmy Advice, take with you some few Thoughts, which I have couch’d in Writing, and which I’ll fetch you; he went into his Cabbin, for, tho’ the Governor’s, it did not deserve the Name of a House, brought out some written Papers, and gave them him.
CaptainTewfinding the Quarter-Master spoke the Sentiments of his Companions, took Leave, and returned to his Ship.
When the Captain was in his Cabbin, he read the Quarter-Master’s Papers, which, as the Contents of them may oblige the curious, I shall set down.
This Island ofMadagascaraffords all the Necessaries of Life, and yields to none either in the Wholesomeness of the Air, or Fruitfulness of the Soil: The Seas around it are well stor’d with Fish, the Woods with Fowl, and the Intrails of the Earth are enrich’d with Mines of excellent Iron, as I have learn’d from some Natives, by their having Arms of that Metal; and, doubtless there are here both Gold and Silver Mines in the Mountains.
The Soil will produce Sugar, Cotton, Indigo, and other Growths of ourAmericanColonies, at a far inferior Expence, as I will make plain, by comparing the Charge of erecting a Mill,&c.inBarbadoes, with what it would be here.
A Windmill inBarbadoeswill cost 100 l. all Materials and Labour being very dear; but here Wood and Stone may be had for Labour only; so that with Artificers, and the needful Iron and Copper Work brought fromEurope, a Sugar Work may be set up for very little Money.
Negroes inBarbadoesare at 30, 40, 50 l.perHead; and I dare answer 10 s. inEuropeanGoods, will purchase a Negroe Slave atMadagascar, since we have purchas’d for an old Coat, a lusty Fellow.
Food is very dear atBarbadoes, and here you may feed a Slave, as well as your self without Expence; consequently he will do more Work than aBarbadoesSlave, who is, by the Dearness of Provision, half-starved.
Tho’ a Cattle Mill is of less Expence inBarbadoes, yet the feeding of Horses and Oxen atBarbadoesis very dear.
But, to proceed to other Advantages, all Sorts of medicinal and dying Woods may be carried from hence toEurope; and your Woods for fine Works, as Iron, Wood, Cedar, Mahogony,&c.are here in great Abundance.
If a Colony, with a lawful Power, were settled here, no doubt, but many of the Commodities which we fetch from theIndiesmight be made here, as Silk, Cotton,&c.the Soil being proper for their Production.
The Natives are, or seem to be, very human; and they have such Plenty of black Cattle, that we have bought an Ox of 800 lb. Weight, for a Pair of Breeches.
Besides, a Settlement here would be a Curb on Pyrates, and a Protection, as well as a great Conveniency to ourEast IndiaShips, who might here be stored with fresh or salt Provisions, and consequently not be obliged to carry with them so great a Quantity as they now do, and save a great Deal of Money to the Company in their Victualling.
CaptainTewwent on Shore again in the Evening, the Wind not serving to weigh, it blowing dueWest; he asked the Governor, how he got acquainted with the Natives? and he answered, by meeting them a Hunting, and using them well; that he wheedled one of them down to their Huts, the Fellow being alone, and they three in Company,he suppos’d, thought it best to go with seeming Willingness. After him several came, and they liv’d very friendly with them: The Captain had brought ashore with him some Rum and Brandy, and they were drinking a Bowl of Punch, when, on a sudden, a violent Storm arose; CaptainTewran to the Shore, and made a Signal for his Boat to carry him off, but the Sea ran too high to venture out of the Ship: The Storm all the while increas’d, and theVictoire, in less than two Hours, parted her Cables, was drove ashore where it was steep to, and perished, with all her Men, in CaptainTew’s Sight.
The Captain staid with his old Companions, without knowing which Way to return to his Friends he had left withMisson, not one of whom was (luckily for them,) on board the Ship. At the End of three Months, as far as they could discover a Hutt, they saw a large Ship, whichTewbelieved was theBijoux; but she took no Notice of the Fires they made: As he expected she would return after a short Cruize, he, and his Companions, made large Fires every Night on the Shore, and visited the Coast very often. About a Month after this, as they came early to the Sea-Side, they were surpriz’d at the Sight of two Sloops which lay at an Anchor, about a Canon Shot from the Shore; they had not been long looking upon them, when a Canoe was hoisted out of One, and made to them, with six Men who row’d, and one Sitter.
Tewsoon knew him to be CaptainMisson; he came ashore, and embracing the former, told him, all their propos’d Happiness was vanished; for without the least Provocation given, in the Dead of the Night, the Natives came down upon them in two great Bodies, and made a great Slaughter,without Distinction of Age or Sex, before they could put themselves in a Posture of Defence; thatCaraccioli(who died in the Action) and he got what Men together they could, to make a Stand; but finding all Resistance vain against such Numbers, he made a Shift to secure a considerable Quantity of rough Diamonds and Bar Gold, and to get on board the two Sloops with 45 Men: That theBijouxbeing gone to cruize, and the Number of Men he had carried with him in theVictoire, weaken’d the Colony, and given the Natives the Boldness to attack them as they did, but for what Reason he could not imagine.