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
The Admiral then desired he might take a cruise; that he hoped to meet
with some East-India ships, and bring in some volunteers, for the number
of subjects being the riches of a nation, he thought the colony stood
more in need of men, than of any thing else; that he would lie in the
way of the Cape, and did not question doing good service; and as he went
to the northward, would call upon his own men.
The Victoire was according to the Admiral’s desire fitted out, and in a
few days he sailed with 300 men on board. He came to an anchor at the
settlement his men had made, hoisted an English ensign in his fore
shrouds, and fired a gun; but after he had waited some time, perceiving
no signal from the shore, he landed and sent back his boat. Soon after
the boat returned towards the ship, two of his men came up to him, to
whom he gave an account of Misson’s settlement. They invited him into
the wood to see that of theirs, and to advise with their companions,
about the proposed migration. The governor, alias quarter-master,
received him mighty civilly, but told him, that he could see no
advantage to themselves in changing their present situation, though they
might prove a great one to the new colony, by adding to their force so
many brave fellows: that they there enjoyed all the necessaries of life;
were free and independent of all the world; and it would be madness
again to subject themselves to any government, which, however mild,
still exerted some power. That he was governor for three months, by the
choice of his companions; but his power extended no farther than to the
judging in matters of small difference which might arise, which he hoped
to do impartially while his authority continued; that they had agreed
among themselves, and confirmed that agreement by oath to support the
decrees of the governor for the time, that their tranquility might not
be disturbed by the humour of any one man: and that this power of
determining, was to devolve at the expiration of three months, to him on
whom the lot should fall by balloting, provided he had not before
enjoyed the honour, for such a one was not to draw; by which agreement,
every one would be raised, in time, to the supreme command, which
prevented all canvassing and making interest for votes, as when
determined by suffrage; left no opening for making divisions and
parties, and was a means to continue to them that repose inseparable
from an unity among themselves. However, continued he, “if you will go
to America or Europe, and show the advantage which may accrue to the
English, by fixing a colony here, out of that love we bear our country,
and to wipe away the odious appellation of pirates, with pleasure we
will submit to any who shall come with a commission from a lawful
government; but it is ridiculous to think we will become subjects to
greater rogues than ourselves.”
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