A General History of the Pirates

Ignatius Pell the boatswain, who were designed for evidences against the other pirates, were removed from the rest of the crew, to the said marshal’s house, and every night two sentinels set about the said house; but whether thro’ any corruption, or want of care in guarding the prisoners, I can’t say; but on the 24th of October, the major and Hariot made their escape, the Boatswain refusing to go along with them. This made a great noise in the province, and people were open in their resentments, often reflecting on the Governor, and others in the magistracy, as though they had been brib’d, for conniving at their escape. These invectives arose from their fears, that Bonnet would be capable of raising another company, and prosecute his revenge against this country, for what he had lately, though justly, suffered: but they were in a short time made easy in those respects; for as soon as the Governor had the account of Bonnet’s escape, he immediately issued out a proclamation, and promised a reward of 700 pounds to any that would take him, and sent several boats with armed men, both to the northward and southward, in pursuit of him.

Bonnet stood to the northward, in a small vessel, but wanting necessaries, and the weather being bad, he was forced back, and so return’d with his canoe, to Swillivant’s Island, near Charleston, to fetch supplies; but there being some information sent to the Governor, he sent for Colonel Rhet, and desired him to go in pursuit of Bonnet; and accordingly gave him a commission for that purpose: wherefore the Colonel, with proper craft, and some men, went away that night for Swillivant’s Island, and, after a very diligent search, discovered Bonnet and Hariot together; the Colonel’s men fired upon them, and killed Hariot upon the spot, and wounded one Negro and an Indian. Bonnet submitted, and surrender’d himself; and the next morning, being November the 6th, was brought by Colonel Rhet to Charleston, and, by the Governor’s warrant, was committed into safe custody, in order for his being brought to his trial.

On the 28th of October, 1718, a court of vice admiralty was held at Charleston, in South Carolina, and, by several adjournments, continued to Wednesday, the 12th of November following, for the trial of the pirates taken in a sloop formerly called the Revenge, but afterwards the Royal James, before Nicholas Trot, Esq.; Judge of the Vice Admiralty, and Chief Justice of the said province of South Carolina, and other assistant judges.

The King’s commission to Judge Trot was read, and a grand jury sworn, for the finding of the several bills, and a learned charge given them by the said judge, wherein he 1st showed, that the sea was given by God, for the use of men, and is subject to dominion and property, as well as the land.

2ndly, he particularly remark’d to them, the sovereignty of the King of England over the British Seas.

3rdly, he observed, that as commerce and navigation could not be carried on without laws; so there have been always particular laws, for the better ordering and regulating marine affairs; with an historical account or those laws, and origin.

4thly, he proceeded to show, that there have been particular courts and judges appointed; to whose jurisdiction maritime causes do belong, and that in matters both civil and criminal.

And then 5thly, he particularly showed them, the constitution and jurisdiction of that court of admiralty sessions.

And lastly, the crimes cognizable therein; and particularly enlarged upon the crime of piracy, which was then brought before them.

The indictments being found, a petit jury was sworn, and the following persons arraigned and tried.

• Stede Bonnet, alias Edwards, alias Thomas, late of Barbados, Mariner.

• Robert Tucker, late of the island of Jamaica, Mariner.

• Edward Robinson, late of NewCastle upon Tyne, Mariner.

• Neal Paterson, late of Aberdeen, Mariner.

• William Scot, late of Aberdeen, Mariner.

• William Eddy, alias Neddy, late of Aberdeen, Mariner.

• Alexander Annand, late of Jamaica, Mariner.

• George Rose, late of Glasgow, Mariner.

• George Dunkin, late of Glasgow, Mariner.

• *Thomas Nicholas, late of London, Mariner.

• John Ridge, late of London, Mariner.

• Matthew King, late of Jamaica, Mariner.

• Daniel Perry, late of Bristol, Mariner.

• Henry Virgin, Late of Guernsey Mariner.

• James Robbins, alias Rattle, late of London, Mariner.

• James Mullet, alias Millet, late of London, Mariner.

• Thomas Price, late of Bristol, Mariner.

• James Wilson, late of Dublin, Mariner.

• John Lopez, late of Oporto, Mariner.

• Zachariah Long, late of the Province of Holland, Mariner.

• Job Bayley, late of London, Mariner.

• John William Smith, late of Charleston, Carolina, Mariner.

• Thomas Carman, late of Maidstone in Kent, Mariner.

• John Thomas, late of Jamaica, Mariner.

• William Morrison, late of Jamaica, Mariner.

• Samuel Booth, late of Charleston, Mariner.

• William Hewit, late of Jamaica, Mariner.

• John Levit, late of North Carolina, Mariner.

• William Livers, alias Evis.

• John Brierly, alias Timberhead, late of Bath Town in North Carolina, Mariner.

• Robert Boyd, late of Bath Town aforesaid, Mariner.

• *Rowland Sharp, of Bath Town, Mariner.

• *Jonathan Clarke, late of Charleston, South Carolina, Mariner.

• *Thomas Gerrard, late of Antigua, Mariner.

And all, except the three last, and Thomas Nicholas, were found Guilty, and received sentence of death.

They were most of them try’d upon two indictments, as follows.

The jurors for our Sovereign Lord the King, do upon their oath present, that Stede Bonnet, late of Barbados, mariner, Robert Tucker, etc. etc. The 2nd day of August, in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George, etc. by force of arms upon the high-sea, in a certain place called Cape James, etc. did piratically, and feloniously set upon, break, board, and enter, a certain merchant sloop, called the Frances, Peter Manwaring Commander, by force, etc. upon the high-sea, in a certain place, called Cape James, alias Cape Inlopen, about two miles distant from the shore, in the latitude of 39, or thereabouts; and within the jurisdiction of the Court of Vice Admiralty, of South Carolina, being a sloop of certain persons, (to the jurors, unknown) and then, and there, piratically, and feloniously did make an assault, in, and upon the said Peter Manwaring, and others his mariners,