The History of the Pyrates. Vol. II.: Containing the lives of Captain Misson, Captain Bowen, Captain Kidd, Captain Tew, Captain Halsey, Captain White, Captain Condent, Captain Bellamy, Captain Fly, Captain Howard, Captain Lewis, Captain Cornelius, Captain Williams, Captain Burgess, Captain North, and their several crewsDefoe, Daniel
History
The History of the Pyrates. Vol. II.: Containing the lives of Captain Misson, Captain Bowen, Captain Kidd, Captain Tew, Captain Halsey, Captain White, Captain Condent, Captain Bellamy, Captain Fly, Captain Howard, Captain Lewis, Captain Cornelius, Captain Williams, Captain Burgess, Captain North, and their several crews
Defoe, Daniel
Pirates -- Early works to 1800
When this Body of Politicians met, _Caraccioli_ open'd the Sessions with
a handsome Speech, shewing the Advantage flowing from Order; and then
spoke to the Necessity of lodging a supream Power in the Hands of one,
who should have that of rewarding brave and vertuous Actions, and of
punishing the vicious, according to the Laws which the State should
make; by which, he was to be guided. That such a Power however should
not be for Life, nor hereditary, but determinate at the end of three
Years, when a new Choice should be made by the State, or the Old
confirm'd for three Years longer; by which means, the ablest Men would
always be at the Head of Affairs, and their Power being of short
Duration, none would dare to abuse it: That such a Chief should have the
Title of Lord Conservator, and all the Ensigns of Royalty to attend him.
This was approv'd _Nemine contradicente_, and _Misson_ was chose
Conservator, with Power to create great Officers, _&c._ and with the
Title of Supream Excellence.
Then a Law was made for the meeting of the State once every Year at
least, but oftner, if the Conservator and his Council thought it
necessary for the common Good to convene them; and that nothing of
Moment should be undertaken without the Approbation of the State.
In a Word, their first Sessions lasted ten Days; and a great many
wholesome Laws were enacted, register'd in the State-Book, printed and
dispers'd (for they had some Printers and Letter Founders among them)
and then the Conservator dissolved them.
Captain _Tew_, the Conservator, honoured with the Title of Admiral, and
_Caraccioli_ made Secretary of State; he chose a Council of the ablest
among them, without Distinction of Nation or Colour; and the different
Languages began to be incorporated, and one made out of the many: An
equal Division was made of their Treasure and Cattle, and every one
began either to inclose Land for himself or his Neighbour, who would
hire his Assistance.
Admiral _Tew_ propos'd the building an Arsenal, and augmenting their
Naval Force; the first was agreed to be propos'd to the State at the
next Convention, but the latter was thought unnecessary, till the Number
of Inhabitants was augmented; for should they all be employed in the Sea
Service, the Husbandry would be neglected, which would be of fatal
Consequence to the growing Colony.
The Admiral then proposed the fetching in those _Englishmen_ who had
followed the Quarter Master; but the Council rejected this, alledging,
that as they deserted their Captain, it was a Mark of a mutinous Temper,
and they might infect others with a Spirit of Disorder; that however,
they might have Notice given them of the Settlement, and if they made it
their earnest Intreaty to be admitted, and would desert the
Quarter-Master, it should be granted as a particular Favour done them,
at the instance of the Admiral, and upon his engaging his Parole of
Honour for their quiet Behaviour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
The History of the Pyrates. Vol. II.: Containing the lives of Captain Misson, Captain Bowen, Captain Kidd, Captain Tew, Captain Halsey, Captain White, Captain Condent, Captain Bellamy, Captain Fly, Captain Howard, Captain Lewis, Captain Cornelius, Captain Williams, Captain Burgess, Captain North, and their several crews — John Shaqi
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