A General History of the Pirates

(whose names to the jurors aforesaid, are unknown,) in the same sloop, against the peace of God, and of our said now Sovereign Lord the King, then, and there being, piratically and feloniously, did put the aforesaid Peter Manwaring, and others, his mariners, of the same sloop, in the sloop aforesaid, then being, in corporal fear of their lives, then and there, in the sloop aforesaid, upon the high-sea, in the place aforesaid, called Cape James, alias Cape Inlopen, about two miles from the shore, in the latitude of 39, or thereabouts, as aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction aforesaid; piratically, and feloniously, did steal, take, and carry away the said merchant sloop, called the Frances, and also twenty-six hogsheads, etc. etc. etc. being found in the aforesaid sloop, in the custody and possession of the said Peter Manwaring, and others, his mariners of the said sloop, and from their custody and possession, then and there, upon the high-sea aforesaid, called Cape James, alias Cape Inlopen, as aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction aforesaid, against the peace of our now Sovereign Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity.

This was the form of the indictments they were arraigned upon, and though they might have proved several more facts upon the major part of the crew, the court thought fit to prosecute but two; the other was for seizing in a piratical and felonious manner, the sloop Fortune, Thomas Read Commander; which indictment running in the same form with the abovementioned, it will be unnecessary to say more of it.

All the prisoners arraigned, pleaded Not Guilty, and put themselves upon their trials, except James Wilson, and John Levit, who pleaded Guilty to both indictments, and Daniel Perry, to one only. The Major would have gone through both the indictments at once, which the Court not admitting, he pleaded Not Guilty to both indictments, but being convicted of one, he retracted his former plea to the second indictment, and pleaded guilty to it.

The prisoners made little or no defence, everyone pretending only that they were taken off a maroon shore, and were shipped with Major Bonnet to go to St. Thomas; but being out at sea, and wanting provisions, they were obliged to do what they did by others; and so did Major Bonnet himself, pretend that ’twas force, not inclination, that occasioned what had happened. However, the facts being plainly proved, and that they had all shared ten or eleven pounds a man, excepting the three last, and Thomas Nichols, they were all but they, found Guilty. The Judge made a very grave speech to them, setting forth the enormity of their crimes, the condition they were now in, and the nature and necessity of an unfeigned repentance; and then recommended them to the ministers of the province, for more ample directions, to fit them for eternity, for (concluded he) the priest’s lips shall keep knowledge, and you shall seek the law at their mouths; for they are the messengers of the Lord (Matt. 2:57). And the ambassadors of Christ, and unto them is committed the word [or doctrine] of reconciliation, (2 Cor. 5:19⁠–⁠20). And then pronounced sentence of death upon them.

On Saturday November the 8th, 1711. Robert Tucker, Edward Robinson, Neal Paterson, William Scot, Job Bayley, John William Smith, John Thomas, William Morrison, Samuel Booth, William Hewit, William Eddy, alias Neddy, Alexander Annand, George Ross, George Dunkin, Matthew King, Daniel Perry, Henry Virgin, James Robbins, James Mullet, alias Millet, Thomas Price, John Lopez, and Zachariah Long, were executed at the White Point near Charleston, pursuant to their sentence.

As for the captain, his escape protracted his fate, and spun out his life a few days longer, for he was try’d the 10th, and being found Guilty, received sentence in like manner as the former; before which Judge Trot, made a most excellent speech to him, rather somewhat too long to be taken into our history, yet I could not tell how to pass by so good and useful a piece of instruction, not knowing whose hands this book may happen to fall into.

The Lord Chief Justices’ Speech Upon His Pronouncing Sentence on Major Stede Bonnet

Major Stede Bonnet, you stand here convicted upon two indictments of piracy; one by the verdict of the jury, and the other by your own confession.

Altho’ you were indicted but for two facts, yet you know that at your trial it was fully proved even by an unwilling witness, that you piratically took and rifled no less than thirteen vessels, since you sail’d from North Carolina.

So that you might have been indicted, and convicted of eleven more acts of piracy, since you took the benefit of the King’s act of grace, and pretended to leave that wicked course of life.

Not to mention the many acts of piracy you committed before; for which if your pardon from man was never so authentic, yet you must expect to answer for them before God.

You know that the crimes you have committed are evil in themselves, and contrary to the light and law of nature, as well as the law of God, by which you are commanded that “you shall not steal,” (Exod. 20:15). And the apostle St. Paul expressly affirms, that “thieves shall not inherit the kingdom of God,” (1 Cor. 6:10).

But to theft you have added a greater sin, which is murder. How many you may have killed of those that resisted you in the committing your former piracies, I know not: but this we all know, that besides the wounded, you kill’d no less than eighteen persons out of those that were sent by lawful authority to suppress you, and put a stop to those rapines that you daily acted.

And however you may fancy that that was killing men fairly in open fight, yet this know, that the power of the sword not being committed into your hands by any lawful authority, you were not empowered to use any force, or fight anyone; and therefore those persons that fell in that