A General History of the Pyrates Part 1

A General History of the Pyrates: from their first rise and settlement in the island of Providence, to the present time.

by Daniel Defoe.

THE PREFACE.

H_AVING taken more than ordinary Pains in collecting the Materials which compose the following History, we could not be satisfied with our selves, if any Thing were wanting to it, which might render it entirely satisfactory to the Publick: It is for this Reason we have subjoined to the Work, a short Abstract of the Laws now in Force against Pyrates, and made Choice of some particular Cases, (the most curious we could meet with) which have been heretofore tried, by which it will appear what Actions have, and what have not been adjudged Pyracy._

_It is possible this Book may fall into the Hands of some Masters of s.h.i.+ps, and other honest Mariners, who frequently, by contrary Winds or Tempests, or other Accidents incident to long Voyages, find themselves reduced to great Distresses, either through Scarcity of Provisions, or Want of Stores.

I say, it may be a Direction to such as those, what Lengths they may venture to go, without violating the Law of Nations, in Case they should meet other s.h.i.+ps at Sea, or be cast on some inhospitable Sh.o.r.e, which should refuse to trade with them for such Things as are absolutely necessary for the Preservation of their Lives, or the Safety of the s.h.i.+p and Cargoe._

_We have given a few Instances in the Course of this History of the Inducements Men have to engage themselves headlong in a Life of so much Peril to themselves, and so destructive to the Navigation of the trading World; to remedy which Evil there seems to be but two Ways, either to find Employment for the great Numbers of Seamen turn'd adrift at the Conclusion of a War, and thereby prevent their running into such Undertakings, or to guard sufficiently the Coast of _Africa_, the _West-Indies_, and other Places whereto Pyrates resort._

_I cannot but take Notice in this Place, that during this long Peace, I have not so much as heard of a _Dutch_ Pyrate: It is not that I take them to be honester than their Neighbours; but when we account for it, it will, perhaps, be a Reproach to our selves for our want of Industry: The Reason I take to be, that after a War, when the _Dutch_ s.h.i.+ps are laid up, they have a Fishery, where their Seamen find immediate Business, and as comfortable Bread as they had before. Had ours the same Recourse in their Necessities, I'm certain we should find the same Effect from it; for a Fishery is a Trade that cannot be overstock'd; the Sea is wide enough for us all, we need not quarrel for Elbow-room: Its Stores are infinite, and will ever reward the Labourer. Besides, our own Coast, for the most Part, supply the _Dutch_, who employ several hundred Sail constantly in the Trade, and so sell to us our own Fish. I call it our own, for the Sovereignty of the _British Seas_, are to this Day acknowledged us by the _Dutch_, and all the neighbouring Nations; wherefore, if there was a publick Spirit among us, it would be well worth our while to establish a National Fishery, which would be the best Means in the World to prevent Pyracy, employ a Number of the Poor, and ease the Nation of a great Burthen, by lowering the Price of Provision in general, as well as of several other Commodities._

_I need not bring any Proofs of what I advance, _viz._ that there are Mult.i.tudes of Seamen at this Day unemploy'd; it is but too evident by their straggling, and begging all over the Kingdom. Nor is it so much their Inclination to Idleness, as their own hard Fate, in being cast off after their Work is done, to starve or steal. I have not known a Man of War commission'd for several Years past, but three times her Compliment of Men have offer'd themselves in _24_ Hours; the Merchants take their Advantage of this, lessen their Wages, and those few who are in Business are poorly paid, and but poorly fed; such Usage breeds Discontents amongst them, and makes them eager for any Change._

_I shall not repeat what I have said in the History concerning the Privateers of the _West-Indies_, where I have taken Notice they live upon Spoil; and as Custom is a second Nature, it is no Wonder that, when an honest Livlyhood is not easily had, they run into one so like their own; so that it may be said, that Privateers in Time of War are a Nursery for Pyrates against a Peace._

_Now we have accounted for their Rise and Beginning, it will be natural to enquire why they are not taken and destroy'd, before they come to any Head, seeing that they are seldom less than twelve Men of War stationed in our American Plantations, even in Time of Peace; a Force sufficient to contend with a powerful Enemy. This Enquiry, perhaps, will not turn much to the Honour of those concern'd in that Service; however, I hope I may be excus'd, if what I hint is with a Design of serving the Publick._

_I say, 'tis strange that a few Pyrates should ravage the Seas for Years, without ever being light upon, by any of our s.h.i.+ps of War; when in the mean Time, they (the Pyrates) shall take Fleets of s.h.i.+ps; it looks as if one was much more diligent in their Affairs, than the other. _Roberts_ and his Crew, alone, took 400 Sail, before he was destroy'd._

_This Matter, I may probably set right another Time, and only observe for the present, that the Pyrates at Sea, have the same Sagacity with Robbers at Land; as the latter understand what Roads are most frequented, and where it is most likely to meet with Booty, so the former know what Lat.i.tude to lie in, in order to intercept s.h.i.+ps; and as the Pyrates happen to be in want of Provisions, Stores, or any particular Lading, they cruise accordingly for such s.h.i.+ps, and are morally certain of meeting with them; and by the same Reason, if the Men of War cruise in those Lat.i.tudes, they might be as sure of finding the Pyrates, as the Pyrates are to find the Merchant s.h.i.+ps; and if the Pyrates are not to be met with by the Men of War in such a Lat.i.tude, then surely down the same Lat.i.tude may the Merchant s.h.i.+ps arrive safely to their Port._

_To make this a little plainer to my Country Readers, I must observe that all our outward bound s.h.i.+ps, sometime after they leave the Land, steer into the Lat.i.tude of the Place they are bound to; if to the _West-India_ Islands, or any Part of the Main of _America_, as _New-York_, _New-England_, _Virginia_, _&c._ because the Lat.i.tude is the only Certainty in those Voyages to be found, and then they sail due West, till they come to their Port, without altering their Course. In this West Way lie the Pyrates, whether it be to _Virginia_, _&c._ or _Nevis_, _St. Christophers_, _Montserat_, _Jamaica_, _&c._ so that if the Merchant s.h.i.+ps bound thither, do not fall a Prey to them one Day, they must another: Therefore I say, if the Men of War take the same Track, the Pyrates must unavoidably fall into their Mouths, or be frighted away, for where the Game is, there will the Vermin be; if the latter should be the Case, the trading s.h.i.+ps, as I said before, will pa.s.s unmolested and safe, and the Pyrates be reduced to take Refuge in some of their lurking Holes about the uninhabited Islands, where their Fate would be like that of the Fox in his Den, if they should venture out, they would be hunted and taken, and if they stay within they must starve._

_I must observe another Thing, that the Pyrates generally s.h.i.+ft their Rovings, according to the Season of the Year; in the Summer they cruise mostly along the Coast of the Continent of _America_, but the Winters there, being a little too cold for them, they follow the Sun, and go towards the Islands, at the approach of cold Weather. Every Man who has used the _West-India_ Trade, knows this to be true; therefore, since we are so well acquainted with all their Motions, I cannot see why our Men of War under a proper Regulation, may not go to the Southward, instead of lying up all the Winter useless: But I shall proceed too far in this Enquiry, I shall therefore quit it, and say something of the following Sheets, which the Author may venture to a.s.sure the Reader that they have one Thing to recommend them, which is Truth; those Facts which he himself was not an Eye-Witness of, he had from the authentick Relations of the Persons concern'd in taking the Pyrates, as well as from the Mouths of the Pyrates themselves, after they were taken, and he conceives no Man can produce better Testimonies to support the Credit of any History._

_It will be observed, that the Account of the Actions of _Roberts_ runs into a greater Length, than that of any other Pyrate, for which we can a.s.sign two Reasons, first, because he ravaged the Seas longer than the rest, and of Consequence there must be a greater Scene of Business in his Life: Secondly, being resolved not to weary the Reader, with tiresome Repet.i.tions: When we found the Circ.u.mstances in _Roberts_'s Live, and other Pyrates, either as to pyratical Articles, or any Thing else, to be the same, we thought it best to give them but once, and chose _Roberts_'s Life for that Purpose, he having made more Noise in the World, than some others._

_As to the Lives of our two female Pyrates, we must confess they may appear a little Extravagant, yet they are never the less true for seeming so, but as they were publickly try'd for their Pyracies, there are living Witnesses enough to justify what we have laid down concerning them; it is certain, we have produced some Particulars which were not so publickly known, the Reason is, we were more inquisitive into the Circ.u.mstances of their past Lives, than other People, who had no other Design, than that of gratifying their own private Curiosity: If there are some Incidents and Turns in their Stories, which may give them a little the Air of a _Novel_, they are not invented or contrived for that Purpose, it is a Kind of Reading this Author is but little acquainted with, but as he himself was exceedingly diverted with them, when they were related to him, he thought they might have the same Effect upon the Reader._

_I presume we need make no Apology for giving the Name of a History to the following Sheets, though they contain nothing but the Actions of a Parcel of Robbers. It is Bravery and Stratagem in War which make Actions worthy of Record; in which Sense the Adventures, here related will be thought deserving that Name. _Plutarch_ is very circ.u.mstantial in relating the Actions of _Spartacus_, the Slave, and makes the Conquest of him, one of the greatest Glories of _Marcus Cra.s.sus_; and it is probable, if this Slave had liv'd a little longer, _Plutarch_ would have given us his Life at large. _Rome_, the Misstress of the World, was no more at first than a Refuge for Thieves and Outlaws; and if the Progress of our Pyrates had been equal to their Beginning; had they all united, and settled in some of those Islands, they might, by this Time, have been honoured with the Name of a Commonwealth, and no Power in those Parts of the World could have been able to dispute it with them._

_If we have seem'd to glance, with some Freedom, at the Behaviour of some Governors of Provinces abroad, it has been with Caution; and, perhaps, we have, not declar'd as much as we knew: However, we hope those Gentlemen in the same Station, who have never given Occasion for the like Censure, will take no Offence, tho' the Word Governor is sometimes made use of._

P. S. _It will be necessary to add a Word or two to this Preface, in order to inform the Reader, that there are several material Additions made to this second Impression, which swelling the Book in Bulk, must of Consequence add a small Matter to its Price._

_The first Impression having been received with so much Success by the Publick, occasioned a very earnest Demand for a second: In the mean Time, several Persons who had been taken by the Pyrates, as well as others who had been concerned in taking of them, have been so kind to communicate several Facts and Circ.u.mstances to us, which had escaped us in the first Impression. This occasioned some Delay, therefore if we have not brought it out, as soon as wish'd, it was to render it the more compleat._

_We shall not enter into a Detail of all the new Matter inserted here, but the Description of the Islands _St. Thome_, _&c._ and that of _Brasil_ are not to be pa.s.sed by, without a little Notice. It must be observed, that our speculative Mathematicians and Geographers, who are, no doubt, Men of the greatest Learning, seldom travel farther than their Closets for their Knowledge, _&c._ are therefore unqualified to give us a good Description of Countries: It is for this Reason that all our Maps and Atla.s.ses are so monstrously faulty, for these Gentlemen are obliged to take their Accounts from the Reports of illiterate Men._

_It must be noted also, that when the Masters of s.h.i.+ps make Discoveries this Way, they are not fond of communicating them; a Man's knowing this or that Coast, better than others, recommends him in his Business, and makes him more useful, and he'll no more discover it than a Tradesman will the Mystery of his Trade._

_The Gentleman who has taken the Pains to make these Observations, is _Mr.

Atkins_, a Surgeon, an ingenious Man in his own Profession, and one who is not ty'd down by any narrow Considerations from doing a Service to the Publick, and has been pleased generously to communicate them for the good of others. I don't doubt, but his Observations will be found curious and very serviceable to such as Trade to those Parts, besides a Method of Trade is here laid down with the _Portuguese_, which may prove of great Profit to some of our Countrymen, if followed according to his Plan._

_It is hoped these Things will satisfy the Publick, that the Author of the following Sheets considered nothing so much as making the Book useful;--tho' he has been informed, that some Gentlemen have rais'd an Objection against the Truth of its Contents, _viz._ that it seems calculated to entertain and divert.--If the Facts are related with some Agreeableness and Life, we hope it will not be imputed as a Fault; but as to its Credit, we can a.s.sure them that the Sea-faring Men, that is all that know the Nature of these Things, have not been able to make the least Objection to its Credit:--And he will be bold to affirm, that there is not a Fact or Circ.u.mstance in the whole Book, but he is able to prove by credible Witnesses._

_There have been some other Pyrates, besides those whose History are here related, such as are hereafter named, and their Adventures are as extravagant and full of Mischief, as those who are the Subject of this Book.--The Author has already begun to digest them into Method, and as soon, as he receives some Materials to make them compleat, (which he shortly expects from the _West-Indies_). If the Publick gives him Encouragement he intends to venture upon a second Volume._

INTRODUCTION.

AS the Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have been so formidable and numerous, that they have interrupted the Trade of _Europe_ into those Parts; and our _English_ Merchants, in particular, have suffered more by their Depredations, than by the united Force of _France_ and _Spain_, in the late War: We do not doubt but the World will be curious to know the Original and Progress of these Desperadoes, who were the Terror of the trading Part of the World.

But before we enter upon their particular History, it will not be amiss, by way of Introduction, to shew, by some Examples drawn from History, the great Mischief and Danger which threaten Kingdoms and Commonwealths, from the Increase of these sort of Robbers; when either by the Troubles of particular Times, or the Neglect of Governments, they are not crush'd before they gather Strength.

It has been the Case heretofore, that when a single Pyrate has been suffered to range the Seas, as not being worth the Notice of a Government, he has by Degrees grown so powerful, as to put them to the Expence of a great deal of Blood and Treasure, before he was suppress'd. We shall not examine how it came to pa.s.s, that our Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have continually increased till of late; this is an Enquiry which belongs to the Legislature, or Representatives of the People in Parliament, and to them we shall leave it.

Our Business shall be briefly to shew, what from Beginnings, as inconsiderable as these, other Nations have suffered.

In the Times of _Marius_ and _Sylla_, _Rome_ was in her greatest Strength, yet she was so torn in Pieces by the Factions of those two great Men, that every Thing which concerned the publick Good was altogether neglected, when certain Pyrates broke out from _Cicilia_, a Country of _Asia Minor_, situate on the Coast of the _Mediterranean_, betwixt _Syria_ on the East, from whence it is divided by Mount _Tauris_, and _Armenia Minor_ on the West. This Beginning was mean and inconsiderable, having but two or three s.h.i.+ps, and a few Men, with which they cruised about the _Greek_ Islands, taking such s.h.i.+ps as were very ill arm'd or weakly defended; however, by the taking of many Prizes, they soon increased in Wealth and Power: The first Action of their's which made a Noise, was the taking of _Julius Caesar_, who was as yet a Youth, and who being obliged to fly from the Cruelties of _Sylla_, who sought his Life, went into _Bithinia_, and sojourned a while with _Nicomedes_, King of that Country; in his Return back by Sea, he was met with, and taken, by some of these Pyrates, near the Island of _Pharmacusa_: These Pyrates had a barbarous Custom of tying their Prisoners Back to Back and throwing them into the Sea; but, supposing _Caesar_ to be some Person of a high Rank, because of his purple Robes, and the Number of his Attendants, they thought it would be more for their Profit to preserve him, in hopes of receiving a great Sum for his Ransom; therefore they told him he should have his Liberty, provided he would pay them twenty Talents, which they judg'd to be a very high Demand, in our Money, about three thousand six hundred Pounds Sterling; he smiled, and of his own Accord promised them fifty Talents; they were both pleased, and surpriz'd at his Answer, and consented that several of his Attendants should go by his Direction and raise the Money; and he was left among these Ruffians with no more than 3 Attendants. He pa.s.s'd eight and thirty Days, and seemed so little concerned or afraid, that often when he went to sleep, he used to charge them not to make a Noise, threatening, if they disturbed him, to hang them all; he also play'd at Dice with them, and sometimes wrote Verses and Dialogues, which he used to repeat, and also cause them to repeat, and if they did not praise and admire them, he would call them Beasts and Barbarians, telling them he would crucify them. They took all these as the Sallies of a juvenile Humour, and were rather diverted, than displeased at them.

At length his Attendants return'd with his Ransom, which he paid, and was discharged; he sail'd for the Port of _Miletum_, where, as soon as he was arriv'd, he used all his Art and Industry in fitting out a Squadron of s.h.i.+ps, which he equipp'd and arm'd at his own Charges; and sailing in Quest of the Pyrates, he surpriz'd them as they lay at Anchor among the Islands, and took those who had taken him before, with some others; the Money he found upon them he made Prize of, to reimburse his Charges, and he carry'd the Men to _Pergamus_ or _Troy_, and there secured them in Prison: In the mean Time, he apply'd himself to _Junius_, then Governor of _Asia_, to whom it belonged to judge and determine of the Punishment of these Men; but _Junius_ finding there was no Money to be had, answered _Caesar_, that he would think at his Leisure, what was to be done with those Prisoners; _Caesar_ took his Leave of him, returned back to _Pergamus_, and commanded that the Prisoners should be brought out and executed, according to Law in that Case provided; which is taken Notice of, in a Chapter at the End of this Book, concerning the Laws in Cases of Pyracy: And thus he gave them that Punishment in Earnest, which he had often threatned them with in Jest.

_Caesar_ went strait to Rome, where, being engaged in the Designs of his own private Ambition, as were almost all the leading Men in Rome, the Pyrates who were left, had Time to increase to a prodigious Strength; for while the civil Wars lasted, the Seas were left unguarded, so that _Plutarch_ tells us, that they erected diverse a.r.s.enals full of all manner of warlike Stores, made commodious Harbours, set up Watch-Towers and Beacons all along the Coasts of _Cilicia_; that they had a mighty Fleet, well equipp'd and furnish'd, with Galliots of Oars, mann'd, not only with Men of desperate Courage, but also with expert Pilots and Mariners; they had their s.h.i.+ps of Force, and light Pinnaces for cruising and making Discoveries, in all no less than a thousand Sail; so gloriously set out, that they were as much to be envied for their gallant Shew, as fear'd for their Force; having the Stern and Quarters all gilded with Gold and their Oars plated with Silver, as well as purple Sails; as if their greatest Delight had been to glory in their Iniquity. Nor were they content with committing Pyracies and Insolencies by Sea, they committed as great Depredations by Land, or rather made Conquests; for they took and sack'd no less than four hundred Cities, laid several others under Contributions, plundered the Temples of the G.o.ds, and inriched themselves with the Offerings deposited in them; they often landed Bodies of Men, who not only plundered the Villages along the Sea Coast, but ransacked the fine Houses of the n.o.blemen along the Tiber. A Body of them once took _s.e.xtillius_ and _Bellinus_, two _Roman_ Praetors, in their purple Robes, going from Rome to their Governments, and carried them away with all their Sergeants, Officers and Vergers; they also took the Daughter of _Antonius_ a consular Person, and one who had obtained the Honour of a Triumph, as she was going to the Country House of her Father.

But what was most barbarous, was a Custom they had when they took any s.h.i.+p, of enquiring of the Person on Board, concerning their Names and Country; if any of them said he was a _Roman_, they fell down upon their Knees, as if in a Fright at the Greatness of that Name, and begg'd Pardon for what they had done, and imploring his Mercy, they used to perform the Offices of Servants about his Person, and when they found they had deceived him into a Belief of their being sincere, they hung out the Ladder of the s.h.i.+p, and coming with a shew of Courtesy, told him, he had his Liberty, desiring him to walk out of the s.h.i.+p, and this in the Middle of the Sea, and when they observed him in Surprize, as was natural, they used to throw him overboard with mighty shouts of Laughter; so wanton they were in their Cruelty.

Thus, while _Rome_ was Mistress oft he World, she suffered Insults and Affronts, almost at her Gates, from these powerful Robbers; but what for a while made Faction cease, and roused the Genius of that People, never used to suffer Wrongs from a fair Enemy, was an excessive Scarcity of Provisions in _Rome_, occasioned by all the s.h.i.+ps loaden with Corn and Provisions from _Sicily_, _Corsica_, and other Places, being intercepted and taken by these Pyrates, insomuch that they were almost reduced to a Famine: Upon this, _Pompey_ the _Great_ was immediately appointed General to manage this War; five hundered s.h.i.+ps were immediately fitted out, he had fourteen Senators, Men of Experience in the War, for his Vice-Admirals; and so considerable an Enemy, were these Ruffians become, that no less than an Army of a hundred thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse was appointed to invade them by Land; but it happened very luckily for _Rome_, that _Pompey_ sail'd out before the Pyrate had Intelligence of a Design against them, so that their s.h.i.+ps were scattered all over the _Mediterranean_, like Bees gone out from a Hive, some one Way, some another, to bring Home their Lading; _Pompey_ divided his Fleet into thirteen Squadrons, to whom he appointed their several Stations, so that great Numbers of the Pyrates fell into their Hands, s.h.i.+p by s.h.i.+p, without any Loss; forty Days he pa.s.sed in scouring the _Mediterranean_, some of the Fleet cruizing along the Coast of _Africk_, some about the Islands, and some upon the Italian Coasts, so that often those Pyrates who were flying from one Squadron, fell in with another; however, some of them escaped, and these making directly to _Cilicia_, and acquainting their Confederates on Sh.o.r.e with what had happened, they appointed a Rendezvous of all the s.h.i.+ps that had escaped at the Port of _Coracesium_, in the same Country. _Pompey_ finding the _Mediterranean_ quite clear, appointed a Meeting of all his Fleet at the Haven of _Brundusium_, and from thence sailing round into the _Adriatick_, he went directly to attack these Pyrates in their Hives; as soon as he came near the _Coracesium_ in _Cilicia_, where the Remainder of the Pyrates now lay, they had the Hardiness to come and give him Battle, but the Genius of old _Rome_ prevailed, and the Pyrates received an entire Overthrow, being all either taken or destroyed; but as they made many strong Fortresses upon the Sea Coast, and built Castles and strong Holds up the Country, about the Foot of Mount _Taurus_, he was obliged to besiege them with his Army; some Places he took by Storm, others surrendered to his Mercy, to whom he gave their Lives, and at length he made an entire Conquest.

But it is probable, that had these Pyrates receiv'd sufficient Notice of the _Roman_ Preparation against them, so as they might have had Time to draw their scattered Strength into a Body, to have met _Pompey_ by Sea, the Advantage appeared greatly on their Side, in Numbers of s.h.i.+pping, and of Men; nor did they want Courage, as may be seen by their coming out of the Port of _Coracesium_, to give the _Romans_ Battle, with a Force much inferior to their's; I say, had they overthrown _Pompey_, it is likely they would have made greater Attempts, and _Rome_, which had conquer'd the whole World, might have been subdued by a Parcel of Pyrates.

This is a Proof how dangerous it is to Governments to be negligent, and not take an early Care in suppressing these Sea Banditti, before they gather Strength.

The Truth of this Maxim may be better exemplified in the History of _Barbarouse_, a Native in the City of _Mitylene_, in the Island of _Lesbos_, in the _Egean_ Sea; a Fellow of ordinary Birth, who being bred to the Sea, first set out from thence upon the pyrating Account with only one small Vessel, but by the Prizes he took, he gain'd immense Riches, so that getting a great Number of large s.h.i.+ps, all the bold and dissolute Fellows of those Islands flock'd to him, and listed in his Service, for the Hopes of Booty; so that his Strength was increased to a formidable Fleet: With these he perform'd such bold and adventurous Actions, that he became the Terror of the Seas. About this Time it happened that _Selim Eutemi_, King of _Algiers_, having refused to pay the accustomed Tribute to the _Spaniards_, was apprehensive of an Invasion from thence; wherefore he treated with _Barbarouse_, upon the Foot of an Ally, to come and a.s.sist him, and deliver him from paying this Tribute; _Barbarouse_ readily came into it, and sailing to _Algiers_ with a great Fleet, he put part of his Men on Sh.o.r.e, and having laid a Plot to surprize the City, he effected it with great Success, and murder'd _Selim_ in a Bath; soon after which, he was himself crowned King of _Algiers_; after this he made War upon _Abdilabde_, King of _Tunis_, and overthrew him in Battle; he extended his Conquests on all Sides; and thus from a Thief became a mighty King: and tho' he was at last kill'd in Battle, yet he had so well established himself upon that Throne, that, dying without Issue, he left the Inheritance of the Kingdom to his Brother, another Pyrate.

I come now to speak of the Pyrates infesting the _West-Indies_, where they are more numerous than in any other Parts of the World, on several Reasons:

_First_, Because there are so many uninhabited little Islands and Keys, with Harbours convenient and secure for cleaning their Vessels, and abounding with what they often want, Provision; I mean Water, Sea-Fowl, Turtle, Sh.e.l.l, and other Fish; where, if they carry in but strong Liquor, they indulge a Time, and become ready for new Expeditions before any Intelligence can reach to hurt them.

It may here perhaps be no unnecessary Digression, to explain upon what they call Keys in the _West-Indies_: These are small sandy Islands, appearing a little above the Surf of the Water, with only a few Bushes or Weeds upon them, but abound (those most at any Distance from the Main) with Turtle, amphibious Animals, that always chuse the quietest and most unfrequented Place, for laying their Eggs, which are to a vast Number in the Seasons, and would seldom be seen, but for this, (except by Pyrates:) Then Vessels from _Jamaica_ and the other Governments make Voyages, called Turtling, for supplying the People, a common and approved Food with them. I am apt to think these _Keys_, especially those nigh Islands, to have been once contiguous with them, and separated by Earthquakes (frequently there) or Inundations, because some of them that have been within continual View, as those nigh _Jamaica_, are observed within our Time, to be entirely wasted away and lost, and others daily wasting. There are not only of the Use above taken Notice of to Pyrates; but it is commonly believed were always in buccaneering pyratical Times, the hiding Places for their Riches, and often Times a Shelter for themselves, till their Friends on the Main, had found Means to obtain Indemnity for their Crimes; for you must understand, when Acts of Grace were more frequent, and the Laws less severe, these Men continually found Favours and Incouragers at _Jamaica_, and perhaps they are not all dead yet; I have been told many of them them still living have been of the same Trade, and left it off only because they can live as well honestly, and gain now at the hazard of others Necks.

Secondly, another Reason why these Seas are chose by Pyrates, is the great Commerce thither by _French_, _Spaniards_, _Dutch_, and especially _English_ s.h.i.+ps: They are sure in the Lat.i.tude of these trading Islands, to meet with Prizes, Booties of Provision, Cloathing, and Naval-Stores, and sometimes Money; there being great Sums remitted this Way to _England_; (the Returns of the Affiento, and private Slave-Trade, to the _Spanish West-Indies_:) And in short, by some one or other, all the Riches of _Potosi_.

A third Reason, is the Inconveniency and Difficulty of being pursued by the Men of War, the many small Inlets, Lagoons and Harbours, on these solitary Islands and Keys, is a natural Security.

'Tis generally here that the Pyrates begin their Enterprizes, setting out at first with a very small Force; and by infesting these Seas, and those of the Continent of _North-America_, in a Year's Time, if they have good luck on their Sides, they acc.u.mulate such Strength, as enables them to make foreign Expeditions: The first, is usually to _Guiney_, taking the _Azores_ and _Cape de Verd_ Islands in their Way, and then to _Brazil_ and the _East-Indies_, where if they meet with prosperous Voyages, they set down at _Madagascar_, or the neighbouring Islands, and enjoy their ill gotten Wealth, among their elder Brethren, with Impunity. But that I may not give too much Encouragement to the Profession, I must inform my maritime Readers, that the far greater Part of these Rovers are cut short in the Pursuit, by a sudden Precipitation into the other World.

The Rise of these Rovers, since the Peace of _Utrecht_, or at least, the great Encrease of them, may justly be computed to the _Spanish_ Settlements in the _West Indies_; the Governors of which, being often some hungry Courtiers, sent thither to repair or make a Fortune, generally Countenance all Proceedings that bring in Profit: They grant Commissions to great Numbers of Vessels of War, on Pretence of preventing an interloping Trade, with Orders to seize all s.h.i.+ps or Vessels whatsoever, within five Leagues of their Coasts, which our _English_ s.h.i.+ps cannot well avoid coming, in their Voyage to _Jamaica_. But if the _Spanish_ Captains chance to exceed this Commission, and rob and plunder at Discretion, the Sufferers are allowed to complain, and exhibit a Process in their Court, and after great Expence of Suit, Delay of Time, and other Inconveniencies, obtain a Decree in their Favour, but then when the s.h.i.+p and Cargo comes to be claim'd, with Costs of Suit, they find, to their Sorrow, that it has been previously condemn'd, and the Plunder divided among the Crew; the Commander that made the Capture, who alone is responsible, is found to be a poor raskally Fellow, not worth a Groat, and, no doubt, is plac'd in that Station for the like Purposes.

The frequent Losses sustain'd by our Merchants abroad, by these Pyrates, was Provocation enough to attempt something by way of Reprisal; and a fair Opportunity offering it self in the Year 1716, the Traders of the _West-Indies_, took Care not to slip it over, but made the best Use of it their Circ.u.mstances would permit.