When _Massey_ came to Town, he writes a long Letter to the Deputy Governor and Directors of the _African_ Company, wherein he imprudently relates the whole Transactions of his Voyage, the going off with the Ship, and the Acts of Pyracy he had committed with _Lowther_; but excuses it as Rashness and Inadvertency in himself, occasioned by his being ill used, contrary to the Promises that had been made him, and the Expectations he had entertained; but own'd, that he deserved to dye for what he had done; yet, if they had Generosity enough to forgive him, as he was still capable to do them Service, as a Soldier, so he should be very ready to do it; but if they resolved to prosecute him, he begg'd only this Favour, that he might not be hang'd like a Dog, but to die like a Soldier, as he had been bred from his Childhood, that is, that he might be shot. This was the Substance of the Letter, which, however, did not produce so favourable an Answer as he hoped for, Word being brought back to him, _That he should be fairly hang'd._ Whereupon, _Massey_ resolved not to be out of the Way, when he found what important Occasion there was likely to be for him, but takes a Lodging in _Aldersgate-Street_, the next Day went to the Lord Chief Justice's Chambers, and enquired, if my Lord had granted a Warrant against Captain _John Massey_, for Pyracy: But being told by the Clerks, that they knew of no such Thing; he informed them, he was the Man, that my Lord would soon be apply'd to for that Purpose, and the Officer might come to him at such a Place, where he lodg'd: They took the Directions in Writing, and, in a few Days, a Warrant being issued, the Tipstaff went directly, by his own Information, and apprehended him, without any other Trouble, than walking to his Lodging. There was then no Person in Town to charge him with any Fact, upon which he could be committed; nor could the Letter be proved to be of his Hand-Writing, so that they had been obliged to let him go again, if he had not helped his Accusers out at Pinch: The Magistrate was reduced to the putting of this Question to him, _Did you write this Letter?_ He answered, _He did_: And not only that, but confessed all the Contents of it; upon which, he was committed to _Newgate_, but was afterwards admitted to a hundred Pounds Bail, or thereabouts.