He was born in the West of _England_ near _Plymouth_ in _Devonshire_, being bred to the Sea, he served as a Mate of a Merchant-Man, in several trading Voyages: It happened before the Peace of _Ryfwick_, when there was an Alliance betwixt _Spain_, _England_, _Holland_, _&c._ against _France_, that the _French_ in _Martinico_, carried on a smugling Trade with the _Spaniards_ on the Continent of _Peru_, which by the Laws of _Spain_, is not allowed to Friends in Time of Peace, for none but native _Spaniards_ are permitted to Traffick in those Parts, or set their Feet on Shore, unless at any Time they are brought as Prisoners; wherefore they constantly keep certain Ships cruising along the Coast, whom they call _Guarda del Costa_, who have the Orders to make Prizes of all ships they can light of within five Leagues of Land. Now the _French_ growing very bold in Trade, and the _Spaniards_ being poorly provided with Ships, and those they had being of no Force, it often fell out, that when they light of the _French_ Smuglers, they were not strong enough to attack them, therefore it was resolv'd in _Spain_, to hire two or three stout foreign Ships for their Service, which being known at _Bristol_, some Merchants of that City, fitted out two Ships of thirty odd Guns, and 120 Hands each, well furnished with Provision and Ammunition, and all other Stores; and the Hire being agreed for, by some Agents for _Spain_, they were commanded to sail for _Corunna_ or the _Groine_, there to receive their Orders, and to take on Board some _Spanish_ Gentlemen, who were to go Passengers to _New-Spain_. Of one of these Ships, which I take to be call'd the _Duke_, Capt. _Gibson_ Commander, _Avery_ was first Mate, and being a Fellow of more Cunning than Courage, he insinuated himself into the good Will of several of the boldest Fellows on Board the other Ship, as well as that which he was on Board of; having sounded their Inclinations before he opened himself, and finding them ripe for his Design, he, at length, proposed to them, to run away with the Ship, telling them what great Wealth was to be had upon the Coasts of _India_. It was no sooner said than agreed to, and they resolved to execute their Plot at Ten a Clock the Night following.