A General History of the Pirates

A General History of the Pirates

By Captain Charles Johnson.

Table of Contents

1. Titlepage
2. Imprint
3. The Preface
4. A General History of the Pirates
   1. Introduction
   2. I: Of Captain Avery, and His Crew
   3. II: Of Captain Martel, and His Crew
   4. III: Of Captain Teach Alias Blackbeard
   5. IV: Of Major Stede Bonnet and His Crew
   6. V: Of Capt. Edward England, and His Crew
   7. VI: Of Captain Charles Vane, and His Crew
   8. VII: Of Captain John Rackam, and His Crew
   9. The Life of Mary Read
   10. The Life of Anne Bonny
   11. VIII: Of Captain Howel Davis, and His Crew
   12. IX: Of Captain Bartho. Roberts, and His Crew
   13. X: Of Captain Anstis, and His Crew
   14. XI: Of Captain Worley, and His Crew
   15. XII: Of Capt. George Lowther, and His Crew
   16. XIII: Of Captain Edward Low, and His Crew
   17. XIV: Of Capt. John Evans, and His Crew
   18. XV: Of Captain John Phillips, and His Crew
   19. XVI: Of Captain Spriggs, and His Crew
   20. An Account of the Piracies and Murders Committed by Philip Roche, etc.
5. An Abstract of the Civil Law and Statute Law Now in Force, in Relation to Piracy
6. Endnotes
7. Colophon
8. Uncopyright

Imprint

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The Preface

Having taken more than ordinary pains in collecting the materials which compose the following history, we could not be satisfied with ourselves, if anything were wanting to it, which might render it entirely satisfactory to the public: it is for this reason we have subjoined to the work, a short abstract of the laws now in force against pirates, and made choice of some particular cases, (the most curious we could meet with) which have been heretofore tried, by which it will appear what actions have, and what have not been adjudged piracy.

It is possible this book may fall into the hands of some masters of ships, and other honest mariners, who frequently, by contrary winds or tempests, or other accidents incident to long voyages, find themselves reduced to great distresses, either through scarcity of provisions, or want of stores. I say, it may be a direction to such as those, what lengths they may venture to go, without violating the law of nations, in case they should meet other ships at sea, or be cast on some inhospitable shore, which should refuse to trade with them for such things as are absolutely necessary for the preservation of their lives, or the safety of the ship and cargo.

We have given a few instances in the course of this history of the inducements men have to engage themselves headlong in a life of so much peril to themselves, and so destructive to the navigation of the trading world; to remedy which evil there seems to be but two ways, either to find employment for the great numbers of seamen turn’d adrift at the conclusion of a war, and thereby prevent their running into such undertakings, or to guard sufficiently the coast of Africa, the West Indies, and other places whereto pirates resort.

I cannot but take notice in this place, that during this long peace, I have not so much as heard of a Dutch pirate: it is not that I take them to be honester than their neighbours; but when we account for it, it will, perhaps, be a reproach to ourselves for our want of industry: the reason I take to be, that after a war, when the Dutch ships are laid up, they have a fishery, where their seamen find immediate business, and as comfortable bread as they had before. Had ours the same recourse in their necessities, I’m certain we should find the same effect from it; for a fishery is a trade that cannot be overstock’d; the sea is wide enough for us all, we need not quarrel for elbow room: its stores are infinite, and will ever reward the labourer. Besides, our own coast, for the most part, supply the Dutch, who employ several hundred sail constantly in the trade, and so sell to us our own fish. I call it our own, for the sovereignty of the British seas, are to this day acknowledged us by the Dutch, and all the neighbouring nations; wherefore, if there was a public spirit among us, it would be well worth our while to establish a national fishery, which would be the best means in the world to prevent piracy, employ a number of the poor, and ease the nation of a great burden, by lowering the price of provision in general, as well as of several other commodities.

I need not bring any proofs of what I advance, viz. that there are