Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period: Illustrative Documents
History
Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period: Illustrative Documents
Pirates; Privateering; United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Sources
Henry Giles Deposed That White was one of the four that went on board
the Ship this Depont. was taken out of, that he was Armed with a
Cutlass and Shared part of the plunder, That he also Saw him go on
board a French ship armed with a Cutlass, out of which Ship they took
Eight Great Guns: That Archer also was one of the four that went on
board their ship armed with a Cutlash, and as this Depont. was going
over the side Archer threatned to Cut him in sunder if he did not make
hast and go on board the Pyrate with his Books and Instruments.
William Lancy Deposed That he was taken by the Pyrate Phillips
sometime in April last, That Archer the Quarter Master was one of
those who came on board his scooner and that he was armed with sword
or Cutlash; that the sd. Archer went on board all or most of the
vessels they took while this Depont. was with them, Armed with sword
or Cutlass; That Archer told him that he was one of Teaches[2] men and
went into South Carolina upon the Act of Grace. That White told this
Depont. he was sorry he came out upon the Accot. and if he Could he
would get away before they went off the Coast. That he heard William
Taylor say they were Carrying him to Virginia to be sold[3] and they
met with these honest Men, meaning the Pyrates, and he listed himself
to go with them.
[Footnote 2: Edward Teach or Thatch, the famous pirate commonly called
Blackbeard.]
[Footnote 3: _I.e._, as an indented servant.]
After the Kings Evidences had been severally Examined the Prisoners at
the Bar were asked what they had to say in their own Defence. William
White says he is sorry he should Commit such a sin, that he was in
Drink when he went away with Phillips, Nutt, etc., in Mr Minotts
scooner. John Archer and Willm Taylor say they were forced Men, and
Archer, being asked how he Came to be Quarter Master, Answered that
the Company thought him the fittest Man for a Quarter master and so
Chose him.
Then the Kings Advocate General summed up the nature of the Evidence
against the Prisoners, and the Prisoners were taken from the Bar, and
the Court cleared and in private.
Then the Court Maturely weighed and Considered the Evidences and the
Prisoners Cases, and Unanimously found William White, John Rose
Archer, and William Taylor Guilty of Pyracy, robbery and Felony
according to the Articles Exhibited against them. Then the Prisoners
were brought to the Bar and the President acquainted them that the
Court by a Unanimous Voice had found them Guilty. Then the Court
Adjourned to three a Clock in the afternoon.
_122. Trial of John Baptis and Peter Taffery. May 13, 1724._
The Court met and Opened according to Adjournm't by Proclamation and
Ordered John Baptis and Peter Taffery, two French Men, to be brought
[to] the Bar, and they were brought to the Bar accordingly and ordered
to attend to the articles read agt. them for Pyracy, Robbery and
Felony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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