The pirates own book : $b authentic narratives of the most celebrated sea robbersEllms, Charles
History
The pirates own book : $b authentic narratives of the most celebrated sea robbers
Ellms, Charles
Pirates
This extraordinary man and daring pirate was tall, of a dark complexion,
about 40 years of age, and born in Pembrokeshire. His parents were
honest and respectable, and his natural activity, courage, and
invention, were superior to his education. At a very early period, he,
in drinking, would imprecate vengeance upon "the head of him who ever
lived to wear a halter." He went willingly into the pirate service, and
served three years as a second man. It was not for want of employment,
but from a roving, wild, and boisterous turn of mind. It was his usual
declaration, that, "In an honest service, there are commonly low wages
and hard labor; in this,--plenty, satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty,
and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the
hazard that is run for it at worst, is only a sour look or two at
choking? No,--a merry life and a short one, shall be my motto!" But it
was one favorable trait in his character, that he never forced any man
into the pirate service.
The prisoners were strictly guarded while on board, and being conveyed
to Cape Coast castle, they underwent a long and solemn trial. The
generality of them remained daring and impenitent for some time, but
when they found themselves confined within a castle, and their fate
drawing near, they changed their course, and became serious, penitent,
and fervent in their devotions. Though the judges found no small
difficulty in explaining the law, and different acts of parliament, yet
the facts were so numerous and flagrant which were proved against them,
that there was no difficulty in bringing in a verdict of guilty.
THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS.
_Containing an Account of his Atrocities committed in the West Indies_.
This atrocious and cruel pirate, when very young became addicted to
vices uncommon in youths of his age, and so far from the gentle reproof
and friendly admonition, or the more severe chastisement of a fond
parent, having its intended effect, it seemed to render him still worse,
and to incline him to repay those whom he ought to have esteemed as his
best friends and who had manifested so much regard for his welfare, with
ingratitude and neglect. His infamous career and ignominious death on
the gallows; brought down the "grey hairs of his parents in sorrow to
the grave." The poignant affliction which the infamous crimes of
children bring upon their relatives ought to be one of the most
effective persuasions for them to refrain from vice.
Charles Gibbs was born in the state of Rhode Island, in 1794; his
parents and connexions were of the first respectability. When at school,
he was very apt to learn, but so refractory and sulky, that neither the
birch nor good counsel made any impression on him, and he was expelled
from the school.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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