University of Virginia Library

Chap. VI.

I have told you in the precedent Chapters
of this Book, after what manner I was
compell'd to adventure my life, among the
Pirates of America. Unto which sort of men,
I think my self obliged to give this name, for

no other reason, but that they are not maintained,
or upheld in their actions, by any Soveraign
Prince. For this is certain, that the
Kings of Spain, have upon several occasions,
sent, by their Embassadours, unto the Kings
of France and England, complaining of the molestations
and troubles, those Pirates did often
cause upon the coasts of America; even in the
calm of Peace. Unto whose Embassadours, it
hath always been answered: That such men did
not commit those acts of hostility and Piracy, as
subjects unto their Majesties; and therefore his
Catholick Majesty might proceed against them according
as he should find fit. The King of France
besides what hath been said, added unto this
answer: That he had no fortress nor Castle, upon
the Isle of Hispaniola; neither did he receive
one farthing of tribute from thence. Moreover
the King of England adjoyned: That he had
never given any Patents, or Commissions, unto those
of Jamaica, for committing any hostility against
the subjects of his Catholick Majesty. Neither
did he only give this bare answer, but also out
of his Royal desire to pleasure the Court of
Spain, recalled the Governour of Jamaica,
placing another in his room. All this was not
sufficient to prevent the Pirates of those parts
from acting what mischief they could to the
contrary. But before I commence the relation
of their bold and insolent actions, I shall say somthing
of their Origen, and most common exercises;
as also of the chiefest among them;
and their manner of arming, before they go
out to Sea.

The first Pyrate, that was known upon the
Island of Tortuga, was named Pierre le Grand,
or Peter the Great. He was bornat the Town of
Diep in Normandy. That action which rendred
him famous, was his taking of the ViceAdmiral
of the Spanish Flota, nigh unto the
Cape of Tiburon, upon the Western side, of the
Island of Hispaniola. This bold exploit he
performed alone with one only boat; wherein
he had eight and twenty persons, no more
to help him. What gave occasion unto this
enterprize, was that until that time, the Spaniards
had passed, and repassed, with all security,
and without finding the least opposition,
through the Channel of Bahama. So that
Pierre le Grand set out to Sea, by the Caycos,
where he took this great Ship, with almost all
facility imaginable. The Spaniards they found
aboard, were all set on Shore, and the Vessel
presently sent into France. The manner how
this undaunted Spirit attempted, and took,
such an huge Ship, I shall give you out of the
Journal of a true, and faithful Author, in the
same words, I read them. The Boat, saith he,
wherein Pierre le Grand was, with his companions
had now been at Sea, a long time, without
finding any thing, according to his intent of Piracy,
sutable to make a prey. And now their provisions
beginning to fail, they could keep themselves
no longer upon the Ocean; or they must of
necessity starve. Being almost reduced to despair,
they espyed a great Ship, belonging unto the Spanish
Flota, which had separated from the rest.
This bulkey Vessel they resolved to set upon; and
take; or die in the attempt. Hereupon they
made sail towards her, with design to view her
strength. And although they judged the Vessel
to be far above their forces, yet the covetousness of
such a prey, and the extremity of fortune, they
were reduced unto, made them adventure upon such
an enterprize. Being now come so near that they
could not escape without danger of being all killed,
the Pirates joyntly made an oath unto their Captain
Pierre le Grand, to behave themselves couragiously
in this attempt, without the least fear or
fainting. True it is, that these Rovers had conceived
an opinion, they should find the Ship unprovided
to fight; and that through this occasion they
should master her by degrees. It was in the dusk
of the Evening, or soon after when this great action
was performed. But before it was begun, they
gave orders unto the Chirurgeon of the boat, to bore
a hole i'th' sides thereof; to the intent that their
own Vessel sinking under them, they might be compelled
to attack more vigorously, and endeavour
more hastily to run aboard the great Ship. This
was performed accordingly; and without
any other arms then a Pistol in one of their hands,
and a Sword in the other, they immediately climbed
up the sides of the Ship, and ran altogether into
the great Cabin; where they found the Captain,
with several of his companions, playing at Cards.
Here they set a Pistol to his breast, commanding
him to deliver up the Ship unto their obedience.
The Spaniards seeing the Pirates aboard their
Ship, without scarce having seen them at Sea,
cryed out, `Jesus bless us! Are these Divels, or
what are they? In the mean while, some of them
took possession of the Gun room, and seized the arms
and Military affairs they found there; killing as
many of the Ship, as made any opposition. By
which means the Spaniards presently were compelled
to surrender. That very day the Captain of
the Ship, had been told, by some of the Seamen,
that the boat, which was in view cruzing, was a
boat of Pirates. Unto whom the Captain slighting
their advice, made answer: `What then? Must I
be afraid of such a pittiful thing, as that is?
No, Nor though she were a Ship as big, and as
strong as mine is. As soon as Pierre le Grand
had taken this Magnificent prize, he detained in
his service, as many of the common Seamen, as he
had need of, and the rest he set on shore. This being
done, he immediately, set sail for France, carrying
with him all the riches, he found in that huge Vessel:
There he continued; without ever returning unto the
parts of America.

The Planters and Hunters, of the Isle of

Tortuga, had no sooner understood this happy
event, and the rich prize those Pirates had obtained,
but they resolved to follow their example.
Hereupon many of them, left their
ordinary exercises, and common imploys,
and used what means they could, to get either
Boats or small Vessels, wherein to exercise Piracy.
But being not able either to purchase or
build them at Tortuga, at last they resolved to
set forth in their Canows, and seek them elsewhere.
With these therefore, they cruzed at
first upon Cape de Alvarez, whereabouts the
Spaniards use much to trade from one City to
another, in small boats. In these they carry
Hides, Tobacco, and other commodities, unto
the Port of Havana; which is the Metropolis
of that Island; and unto which the Spaniards
from Europe do frequently resort.

Here abouts it was, that those Pirates at the

beginning, took a great number of Boats, laden
with the aforesaid commodities. These
boats they used to carry to the Isle of Tortuga,
and there sell the whole purchase unto the
Ships that waited in the Port for their return,
or accidentally happened to be there. With
the gains of these prizes, they provided themselves
with necessaries, wherewithal to undertake
other voyages. Some of these voyages
were made towards the coast of Campeche, and
others, towards that of New-Spain. In both
which places the Spaniards at that time, did
frequently exercise much commerce, and trade.
Upon those coasts, they commonly found great
number of trading vessels, and many times
ships of great burthen. Two of the biggest
of these vessels, and two great ships, which the
Spaniards had laden with plate, in the Port of
Campeche, for to go unto Caracas, they took
in less then a months time, by cruzing to and
fro. Being arrived at Tortuga with these prizes,
and the whole people of the Island, admiring
their progresses, especially that within the space
of two years, the riches of the Country were
much increased, the number also of Pirates did
augment so fast, that from these beginnings,
within a little space of time, there were to be
numbered in that small Island and Port, above
twenty ships of this sort of people. Hereupon
the Spaniards not able to bear their Robberies
any longer, were constrained to put forth to
Sea two great Men of War, both for the defence
of their own coasts, and to cruze upon the
enemies.