The History of the Lives and Bloody Exploits of the Most Noted Pirates; Their Trials and Executions: Including a Correct Account of the Late Piracies Committed in the West-Indies, and the Expedition of Commodore Porter; also, Those Committed on the Brig Mexican, Who Were Tried and Executed at Boston, in 1835Strong, Ezra Baldwin
History
The History of the Lives and Bloody Exploits of the Most Noted Pirates; Their Trials and Executions: Including a Correct Account of the Late Piracies Committed in the West-Indies, and the Expedition of Commodore Porter; also, Those Committed on the Brig Mexican, Who Were Tried and Executed at Boston, in 1835
It is not to be imagined what efficacy this speech had on both nations;
the Dutch grew continent in fear of punishment, and the French in fear
of being reproached by their good captain, for they never mentioned him
without this epithet. Upon the coast of Angola, they met with a second
Dutch ship, the cargo of which consisted of silk and woollen stuffs,
cloth, lace, wine, brandy, oil, spice, and hardware: the prize gave
chase and engaged her, but upon the coming up of the Victoire she
struck. This ship opportunely came in their way, and gave full employ to
the tailors, who were on board; for the whole crew began to be out at
elbows; they plundered her of what was of use to their own ship, and
then sunk her.
The captain having about ninety prisoners on board, proposed the giving
them the prize with what was necessary for their voyage, and sending
them away; which being agreed to, they shifted her ammunition on board
the Victoire, and giving them provisions to carry them to the
settlements the Dutch have on the coast, Misson called them up, told
them what was his design, and asked if any of them was willing to share
his fortune: eleven Dutch came in to him, two of whom were sailmakers,
one an armourer, and one a carpenter, necessary hands; the rest he let
go, not a little surprised at the regularity, tranquility, and humanity,
which they found among these new fashioned pirates.
They had now run the length of Saldanha bay, about ten leagues to the
northward of Table Bay. As here is good water, safe riding, plenty of
fish and fresh provision, to be got of the natives for the merchandise
they had on board, it was resolved to stay here some little time for
refreshments. When they had the bay open, they spied a tall ship, which
instantly got under sail, and hove out English colours. The Victoire
made clear ship, and hove out her French ensign, and a smart engagement
began. The English was a new ship built for 40 guns, though she had but
32 mounted, and 90 hands. Misson gave orders for boarding, and the
number of fresh men he constantly poured in, after an obstinate dispute
obliged the English to fly the decks, and leave the French masters of
their ship, who promised, and gave them good quarters and stripped not a
man.
They found on board the prize some bales of English broadcloth, and
about £60,000 in English crown pieces, and Spanish pieces of eight. The
English captain was killed in the engagement, and 14 of his men: the
French lost 12, which was no small mortification, but did not however
provoke them to use their prisoners harshly. Capt. Misson was sorry for
the death of the commander, whom he buried on shore, and one of his men
being a stone-cutter, he raised a stone over his grave with these words,
“_Icy gist un brave Anglois_,” _Here lies a gallant Englishman_. When he
was buried he made a triple discharge of fifty small arms, and fired
minute guns.
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