 Chapter 5 of the Pirate's Own Book by Charles Elms This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Kiri Hiles The Pirate's Own Book by Charles Elms, Chapter 5 The Life of Lafitte, the famous pirate of the Gulf of Mexico with a history of the pirates of Barataria and an account of their volunteering for the defence of New Orleans and their daring intrepidity under General Jackson during the battle of the 8th of January, 1815 for which important service they were pardoned by President Madison. Jean Lafitte was born at St. Malo in France in 1781 and went to sea at the age of 13. After several voyages in Europe and to the coast of Africa he was appointed mate of a French East Indian man bound to Madras. On the outward passage they encountered a heavy gale of the Cape of Good Hope which sprung the main mast and otherwise injured the ship which determined the captain to bear up for the Mauritius where he arrived in safety. Aquarol having taken place on the passage out between Lafitte and the captain he abandoned the ship and refused to continue the voyage. Several privateers were at this time fitting out of this island and Lafitte was appointed captain of one of these vessels. After a cruise during which he robbed the vessels of other nations besides those of England and thus committing piracy, he stopped at the Seychelles and took in a load of slaves for the Mauritius. But being chased by an English frigate as far north as the Equator he found himself in a very awkward condition not having provisions enough on board a ship to carry him back to the French colony. He therefore conceived the bold project of proceeding to the Bay of Bengal in order to get provisions from on board some English ships. In his ship of 200 tonnes with only 2 guns and 26 men he attacked and took an English armed schooner with a numerous crew. After putting 19 of his own crew on board the schooner he took the command of her and proceeded to cruise upon the coast of Bengal. He there fell in with the Pagoda a vessel belonging to the English East India Company armed with 26 12 pounders and manned with 150 men. Expecting that the enemy were taken for a pilot of the Ganges he manoeuvred accordingly. The Pagoda manifested no suspicions whereupon he suddenly darted with his brave followers upon her decks overturned all who opposed them and speedily took the ship. After a very successful cruise he arrived safe at the Mauritius and took the command of La Confiance of 26 guns and 250 men and sailed for the coast of British India. Off the sands heads in October 1807 Lafitte fell in with the Queen East Indian men with a crew of nearly 400 men and carrying 40 guns. He conceived the bold project of getting possession of her. Never was they beheld a more unequal conflict even the height of the vessel compared to the feeble privateer augmented the chances against Lafitte but the difficulty and danger far from discouraging this intrepid sailor acted as an additional spur to his brilliant valor. After electrifying his crew with a few words of hope and ardour he manoeuvred and ran on board of the enemy. In this position he received a broadside when close to but he expected this and made his men lay flat upon the deck. After the first fire they all rose and from the yards and tops through bonds and grenades at the foxel of the Indian men. This sudden and unforeseen attack caused a great havoc. In an instant death and terror made them abandon a part of the vessel near the Misenmast. Lafitte, who observed everything seized the decisive moment, beat two arms and 40 of his crew prepared to board with pistols in their hands and daggers held between their teeth. As soon as they got on deck they rushed upon the affrighted crowd who retreated to the steerage and endeavoured to defend themselves there. Lafitte thereupon ordered a second division to board which he headed himself. The captain of the Indian men was killed and all were swept away in a moment. Lafitte caused a gun to be loaded with grape which he pointed towards the place where the crowd was assembled threatening to exterminate them. The English deeming resistance fruitless surrendered and Lafitte hastened to put a stop to the slaughter. This exploit, hitherto unparalleled, resounded through India and the name of Lafitte became the terror of English commerce in these latitudes. As British vessels now traversed the Indian Ocean under strong convoys, game became scarce and Lafitte determined to visit France. After doubling the Cape of Good Hope he coasted up to the Gulf of Guinea and in the bite of Benin he took two valuable prizes loaded with gold dust, ivory and palm oil. With this booty he reached St. Malo in safety. After a short stay at his native place he fitted out a brigantine mounting 20 guns and 150 men and sailed for Guadeloupe. Amongst the West India Islands he made several valuable prizes but during his absence on a cruise the island having been taken by the British he proceeded to Carthagina and from thence to Barataria. After this period the conduct of Lafitte at Barataria does not appear to be characterised by the audacity and boldness of his former career but he had amassed immense sums of booty and as he was obliged to have dealings with the merchants of the United States and the West Indies who frequently owed him large sums and the cautious dealings necessary to found and conduct a colony of pirates and smugglers in the very teeth of a civilised nation obliged Lafitte to cloak as much as possible his real character. As we have said before in the period of taking Guadeloupe by the British most of the privateers commissioned by the government of that island and which were then on a cruise not being able to return to any of the West India Islands made for Barataria there to take in a supply of water and provisions recruit the health of their cruise and dispose of their prizes which could not be admitted into any of the ports of the United States being at that time in peace with Great Britain. Most of the commissions granted to privateers of the government at Guadeloupe having expired sometime after the declaration of the independence of Carthagina many of the privateers repaired to that port for the purpose of obtaining from the new government commissions for cruising against Spanish vessels. Having duly obtained their commissions they in a manner blockaded for a long time all the ports belonging to the royalists and made numerous captives which they carried into Barataria. Under this denomination is comprised part of the coast of Louisiana to the west of the mouths of the Mississippi comprehended between Bastion Bay on the east and the mouths of the river or Biola Forge on the west. Not far from the sea are lakes called the Great and Little Lakes of Barataria communicating with one another by several large bayous with a great number of branches. There is also the island of Barataria at the extremity of which is a place called the Temple which denomination it owes to several mounds of shells thrown up there by the Indians. The name of Barataria is also given to a large basin which extends the whole length of the Cyprus swamps from the Gulf of Mexico to three miles above New Orleans. These waters disembark into the Gulf by two entrances of the Bayou Barataria between which lies an island called Grand Tear six miles in length and from two to three miles in breadth running parallel with the coast. In the western entrance is the Great Pass of Barataria which has from nine to ten feet of water. Within this pass, about two leagues from the open sea lies the only secure harbour on the coast and accordingly this was the harbour frequented by the pirates so well known by the name of Baratarians. At Grand Tear, the privateers publicly made sail by auction of the cargoes of their prizes. From all parts of Lower Louisiana people resorted to Barataria without being at all solicitors to conceal the object of their journey. The most respectable inhabitants of the state especially those living in the country were in the habit of purchasing smuggled goods coming from Barataria. The government of the United States sent an expedition under Commodore Paterson to disperse the settlement of Marauders at Barataria. The following is an extract of his letter to the Secretary of War. So, I have the honour to inform you that I departed from this city on the 11th of June accompanied by Colonel Ross with a detachment of 70 of the 44th Regiment of Infantry. On the 12th reached the schooner Carolina of Plackman and formed a junction with the gun vessels at the Belize on the 13th sailed from the southwest pass on the evening of the 15th and at half past eight o'clock a.m. on the 16th made the island of Barataria and discovered a number of vessels in the harbour some of which showed Carthaginian colours. At two o'clock perceived the pirates forming their vessels tenor number including prizes into a line of battle near the entrance of the harbour and making every preparation to offer me battle. At ten o'clock wind, light and variable formed the order of battle with six gun boats and the seahorse tender mounting one six pounder and fifteen men and a launch mounting one twelve pounder coronade the schooner Carolina drawing too much water to cross the bar. At half past ten o'clock perceived several smokes along the coast as signals and at the same time a white flag hoisted on board a schooner at the fort an American flag at the main mist head and a Carthaginian flag under which the pirates cruise at her topping lift replied with a white flag at my main at eleven o'clock discovered that the pirates had fired two of their best schooners hauled down my white flag and made the signal for battle hoisting with a large white flag bearing the words pardon for deserters having heard there was a number on shore from the army and navy. At a quarter past eleven o'clock two gun boats grounded and were passed agreeably to my previous orders by the other four which entered the harbour manned by my barge and the boats belonging to the grounded vessels and proceeded into my great disappointment. I perceived that the pirates abandoned their vessels and were flying in all directions. I immediately sent the launch and two barges with small boats in pursuit of them. At Meridian took possession of all their vessels in the harbour consisting of six schooners and one for Luca, cruisers and prizes of the pirates one brig, a prize and two armed schooners under the Carthaginian flag both in the line of battle with the armed vessels of the pirates and apparently with an intention to aid them in any resistance that they might make against me as their crews were at quarters tompians out of their guns and matches lighted. Colonel Ross at the same time landed and with his command took possession of their establishment on shore consisting of about 40 houses of different sizes badly constructed and thatched with palmetto leaves. When I perceived the enemy forming their vessels into a line of battle I felt confident from their number and very advantageous position and the number of men that they would have fought me. They're not doing so I regret for had they I should have been enabled more effectively to destroy or make prisoners of them and their leaders but it is a subject of great satisfaction to me to have effected the object of my enterprise without the loss of a man. The enemy had mounted on their vessels 20 pieces of cannon of different calibre and as I have since learned from 800 to 1000 men of all nations and colours. Early in the morning of the 20th the Carolina at anchor about five miles distant made the signal of a strange sail in sight to eastward immediately after she weighed anchor and gave chase the strange sail standing for grand tear with all sail. At half past eight o'clock the chase hauled her wind offshore to escape sent acting lieutenant spitting with four boats manned and armed to prevent her passing the harbour. At nine o'clock a.m. the chase fired upon the Carolina which was returned. Each vessel continued firing during the chase when their long guns could reach. At ten o'clock the chase grounded outside of the bar at which time the Carolina was from the shoalness of the water obliged to haul her wind of shore and give up the chase opened a fire upon the chase across the island from the gun vessels. At half past ten o'clock she hauled down her colours and was taken possession of. By grounding she broke both her rudder pintles and made water. Took from her her armament consisting of one long brass 18 pounder, one long brass 6 pounder, two 12 pounders small arms etc and 21 packages of dry goods. On the afternoon of the 23rd got underway with the whole squadron in all 17 vessels but during the night one escaped and the next day arrived at New Orleans with my whole squadron. At different times the English had sought to attack the pirates at Barataria in hopes of taking their prizes and even their armed vessels. Of these attempts of the British suffice it to instance that of June 23rd, 1813 when two privateers being at anchor of Cat Island, a British sloop of war anchored at the entrance of the pass and sent her boats to endeavor to take the privateers but they were repulsed with considerable loss. Such was the state of affairs when on the 2nd of September 1814 there appeared an armed brig on the coast opposite the pass. She fired a gun at a vessel about to enter and forced her to run aground. She then tacked and shortly after came to an anchor at the entrance of the pass. It was not easy to understand the intentions of this vessel who having commenced with hostilities on a first appearance now seemed to announce an amicable disposition. Mr Lafitte then went often a boat to examine her, venturing so far that he could not escape from the penis sent from the brig and making towards the shore bearing British colours and a flag of truce. In this penis were two naval officers. One was Captain Lockyer, commander of the brig. The first question they asked was where was Mr Lafitte? He, not choosing to make himself known to them replied that the person they inquired for was on shore. They then delivered to him a packet directed to Mr Lafitte Baratario requesting him to take particular care of it and to deliver it into Mr Lafitte's hands. He now prevailed on them to make for the shore and as soon as they got near enough to be in his power he made himself known, recommending to them at the same time to conceal the business on which they had come. Upwards of 200 persons lined the shore and it was a general cry amongst the crews of the privateers at Grand Thé that those British officers should be made prisoners and sent to New Orleans as spies. It was with much difficulty that Lafitte dissuaded the multitude from this intent and led the officers in safety to his dwelling. He thought very prudently that the papers contained in the packet might be of importance towards the safety of the country and that the officers, if well watched could obtain no intelligence that might turn to the detriment of Louisiana. He now examined the contents of the packet in which he found a proclamation addressed by Colonel Edward Nichols in the service of his Britannic Majesty and commander of the land forces on the coast of Florida to the inhabitants of Louisiana. A letter from the same to Mr Lafitte, the commander of Barataria, an official letter from the Honourable W. H. Percy, captain of the Sloop of War, Hermes, directed to Lafitte. When he had perused these letters Captain Locker enlarged on the subject of them and proposed to him to enter into the service of his Britannic Majesty with the rank of post-captain and to receive the command of a .44 gun frigate. Also all those under his command all over whom he had sufficient influence. He was also offered $30,000 payable at Pensacola and urged him not to let slip this opportunity of acquiring fortune and consideration. On Lafitte's requiring a few days to reflect upon these proposals Captain Locker observed to him that no reflection could be necessary respecting proposals that obviously precluded hesitation as he was a Frenchman and proscribed by the American government. But to all his splendid promises and daring insinuations Lafitte replied that in a few days he would give a final answer. His object in this procrastination being to gain time to inform the officers of the state government of this nefarious project. Having occasion to go some distance for a short time the persons who had proposed to send the British officers prisoners to New Orleans went and seized them in his absence and confined both them and the crew of the Penis in a secure place leaving a guard at the door. The British officers sent for Lafitte but he, fearing an insurrection of the crews of the privateers he thought it advisable not to see them until he had first persuaded their captains and officers to desist from the measures on which they seemed bent. With this view he represented to the latter that besides the infamy that would attach to them if they treated as prisoners people who had come with a flag of truce they would lose the opportunity of discovering the projects of the British against Louisiana. Early the next morning Lafitte caused them to be released from their confinement apologizing the detention. He now wrote to Captain Lockyer the following letter. To Captain Lockyer Barataria 4th September 1814 Sir, the confusion which prevailed in our campiers today and this morning and of which you have a complete knowledge has prevented me from answering in a precise manner to the object of your mission nor even at this moment can I give you all the satisfaction that you desire. However, if you could grant me a fortnight I would be entirely at your disposal at the end of that time. This delay is indispensable to enable me to put my affairs in order. You may communicate with me by sending a boat to the eastern point of the pass where I will be found. You have inspired me with more confidence than the admiral your superior officer could have done himself. With you alone I wish to deal and from you also I will claim in due time the reward of the services which I may render to you. Yours etc. J. Lafitte. His object in writing that letter was by appearing disposed to exceed to their proposals to give time to communicate the affair to the officers of the state government and to receive from them instructions how to act under circumstances so critical and important to the country. He accordingly wrote on the 4th of September to Mr. Blank, one of the representatives of the state, sending him all the papers delivered to him by the British officers with a letter addressed to his Excellency Governor Clairborn of the state of Louisiana. To Governor Clairborn, Barataria, September 4th, 1814 Sir, in the firm persuasion that the choice made of you to fill the office of First Magistrate of this state was dictated by the esteem of your fellow citizens and was conferred on merit I confidently address you on an affair in which may depend the safety of this country. I offer to you to restore to this state several citizens who perhaps in your eyes have lost that sacred title. I offer you them however such as you could wish to find them ready to exert their utmost efforts in defence of the country. This point of Louisiana which I occupy is of great importance in the present crisis. I tender my services to defend it My reward I ask is that a stop be put to the proscription against me and my adherence by an act of oblivion for all that has been done hitherto. I am the stray sheep wishing to return to the fold. If you are thoroughly acquainted with the nature of my offences I should appear to you much less guilty and still worthy to discharge the duties of a good citizen. I have never sailed under any flag but that of the Republic of Carthagina and my vessels are perfectly regular in that respect. If I could have brought my lawful prizes into the ports of this state I should not have employed the illicit means that have caused me to be proscribed. I decline saying more on the subject until I have the honour of your excellency's answer which I am persuaded can be dictated only by wisdom. Should your answer not be favourable to my ardent desires I declare to you that I will instantly leave the country the imputation of having cooperated towards an invasion on this point which cannot fail to take place and to rest secure in the acquittal of my conscience. I have the honour to be your excellency's etc. J. Lafitte. The contents of these letters do honour to Lafitte's judgement and evince his sincere attachment to the American cause. On the receipt of this package from Lafitte Mr Blanc immediately laid its contents before the governor of the Committee of Defence lately formed of which he was president and Mr Rancher the bearer of Lafitte's packet was sent back with a verbal answer to desire Lafitte to take no steps until it should be determined what was expedient to be done. The message also contained an assurance that in the meantime no steps should be taken against him for his past offences against the laws of the United States. At the expiration of the time agreed on with Captain Lockyer on a coast with two others and continued standing off and on before the past for several days but he pretended not to perceive the return of the sloop of war who tired of waiting to no purpose put out to sea and disappeared. Lafitte having received a guarantee from General Jackson for a safe passage from Baratario to New Orleans and back he proceeded forthwith to the city where he had an interview with Governor Clairborne and the general. After the usual formalities and courtesies had taken place between these gentlemen Lafitte addressed the Governor of Louisiana nearly as follows I have offered to defend for you that part of Louisiana I now hold but not as an outlaw would I be its defender in that confidence with which you have inspired me I offer to restore to the state many citizens now under my command as I have remarked before the point I occupy is of great importance I tend to not only my own services to defend it but those of all I command and the only reward I ask is that a stop be put to the proscription against me and my adherence by an act of oblivion for all that has been done hitherto my dear sir said the Governor who together with General Jackson was impressed with admiration of his sentiments your praise worthy wishes shall be laid before the council of the state and I will confer my august friend here present upon this important affair and send you an answer tomorrow as Lafitte withdrew the general said farewell when we meet again I trust it will be in the ranks of the American army the result of the conference was the issuing of the following order the Governor of Louisiana informed that many individuals implicated in the offences hitherto for committed against the United States at Barataria express a willingness to enrol themselves and march against the enemy he does hereby invite them to join the standard of the United States and is authorised to say should they conduct in the field meet the approbation of the Major General that that officer will unite with the Governor in a request to the President of the United States to extend to each and every individual so marching and acting a free and full pardon these general orders were placed in the hands of Lafitte who circulated them amongst his dispersed followers most of whom readily embraced the conditions of pardon they held out in a few days many brave men and skillful artillerists whose services contributed greatly to the safety of the invaded state flocked to the standard of the United States and by their conduct received the highest approbation of General Jackson by the President of the United States of America a proclamation among the many evils produced by the wars which with little intermission have afflicted Europe and extended their ravages into other quarters of the globe for a period exceeding 20 years the dispersion of a considerable portion of the inhabitants of different countries in sorrow and in want has not been the least injurious to human happiness nor the least severe in the trial of human virtue it has been long a certain that many foreigners flying from the dangers of their own home that some citizens, forgetful of their duty had cooperated in forming an establishment on the island of Barataria near the mouth of the river Mississippi for the purpose of a clandestine and lawless trade the government of the United States caused the establishment to be broken up and destroyed and having obtained the means of designating the offenders of every description it only remained to answer the demands of justice by inflicting an exemplary punishment but it has since been represented that the offenders have manifested a sincere penitence that they have abandoned the prosecution of the worst cause for the support of the best and particularly that they have exhibited in the defense of New Orleans unequivocal traits of courage and fidelity offenders who have refused to become the associates of the enemy in the war upon the most seducing terms of invitation and who have aided to repel his hostile invasion of the territory of the United States and no longer be considered as objects of punishment but as objects of a generous forgiveness it has therefore been seen with great satisfaction that the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana earnestly recommend those offenders to the benefit of a full pardon and in compliance with that recommendation as well as in consideration of all the other extraordinary circumstances in the case I James Madison President of the United States of America will issue this proclamation hereby granting, publishing and declaring a free and full pardon of all offences committed in violation of any act or act of the Congress of the said United States touching the revenue, trade and navigation thereof or touching the intercourse and commerce of the United States with foreign nations at any time before the 8th day of January in the present year 1815 by any person or persons whatsoever being inhabitants of New Orleans and the adjacent country or being inhabitants of the said island of Barataria and the place is adjacent provided that every person claiming the benefit of this full pardon in order to entitle himself there too shall produce a certificate in writing from the Governor of the State of Louisiana stating that such person has aided in the defense of New Orleans and the adjacent country during the invasion thereof as aforesaid and I do hereby further authorize all suits, indictments and prosecutions for fines, penalties and forfeitures against any person or persons who shall be entitled to the benefit of this full pardon forthwith to be stayed, discontinued and released all civil officers are hereby required according to the duties of their respective stations to carry this proclamation into immediate and faithful execution done at the City of Washington the 6th day of February in the year 1815 and of the independence of the United States the 39th by the President James Madison James Monroe acting Secretary of State the morning of the 8th of January was ushered in with the discharge of rockets the sound of cannon and the cheers of the British soldiers advancing to the attack the Americans behind the breast work awaited in calm intrepidity their approach the enemy advanced in close column of 60 men in front shouldering their muskets and carrying facines and ladders a storm of rockets preceded them and an incessant fire opened from the battery which commanded the advanced column the musketry and rifles from the Kentuckians and Tennesseans joined the fire of the artillery and in a few moments was heard along the line a ceaseless rolling fire whose tremendous noise resembled the continued reverberation of thunder the guns a 24 pounder placed upon the breast work in the third embrasure from the river drew from the fatal skill and activity with which it was managed even in the heat of battle the admiration of both Americans and British and became one of the points most dreaded by the advancing foe here was stationed Lafitte and his lieutenant Dominique and a large band of his men who during the continuance of the battle fought with unparalleled bravery the British already had been twice driven back in the utmost confusion with the loss of the commander in chief and two general officers two other batteries were manned by the Baratarians who served their pieces with the steadiness and precision of veteran gunners in the first attack of the enemy a column pushed forward between the levee and river and so precipitate was their charge that the outposts were forced to retire closely pressed by the enemy before the batteries could meet the charge clearing the ditch they gained the redoubt through the embrasures leaping over the parapet and overwhelming by their superior force the small party stationed there Lafitte who was commanding in conjunction with his officers at one of the guns no sooner saw the bold movement of the enemy than calling a few of his best men by his side he sprung forward to the point of danger and clearing the breast work of the entrenchments leapt cutlass in hand into the midst of the enemy followed by a score of his men who in many a hard fought battle upon his own deck had been well tried astonished at the intrepidity which could lead men to leave their entrenchments and meet them hand to hand and pressed by the suddenness of the charge which was made with the recklessness skill and rapidity of practiced borders bounding upon the deck of an enemy's vessel they began to give way while one after another two British officers fell before the cutlass of the pirate as they were bravely encouraging their men all the energies of the British were now concentrated to scale the breast work which one daring officer had already mounted while Lafitte and his followers seconding a gallant band of volunteer riflemen formed of phalanx which they in vain assayed to penetrate the British finding it impossible to take the city and the havoc in their ranks being dreadful made a precipitate retreat leaving the field covered with their dead and wounded General Jackson in his correspondence with the secretary of war did not fail to notice the conduct of the corsairs of Barataria who were as we have already seen employed in the artillery service in the course of the campaign they proved in an unequivocal manner that they had been misjudged by the enemy who a short time previous to the invasion of Louisiana had hoped to enlist them in his cause many of them were killed or wounded in the defense of the country the deal, their courage and their skill were remarked by the whole army who could no longer consider such brave men as criminals in a few days peace was declared between Great Britain and the United States the piratical establishment of Barataria haven't been broken up and Lafitte not being content with leading an honest peaceful life procured some far sailing vessels and with the great number of his followers proceeded to Galveston Bay in Texas during the year 1819 where he received a commission from General Long and had five vessels generally cruising and about 300 men two open boats bearing commissions from General Humbert of Galveston having robbed a plantation on the Momento River of Negroes money etc were captured in the Sabine River by the boats of the United States Schooner, Lynx one of the men was hung by Lafitte who dreaded the vengeance of the American Government the Lynx also captured one of his schooners and her prize that had been for a length of time smuggling in the Comento one of his cruisers named the Jupiter returned safe to Galveston after a short cruise with a valuable cargo principally species she was the first vessel that sailed under the authority of Texas the American Government well knowing that where Lafitte was piracy and smuggling would be the order of the day sent a vessel of war to cruise in the Gulf of Mexico and scour the coasts of Texas Lafitte having been appointed Governor of Galveston and one of the cruisers being stationed off the port to watch his motions it's so annoyed him that he wrote the following letter to her commander Lieutenant Madison to the commandant of the American cruiser of the port of Galveston Sir, I am convinced that you are a cruiser of the Navy ordered by your Government I have therefore deemed it proper to inquire into the cause of your living before this port without communicating or intention I shall by this message inform you that the port of Galveston belongs to and is in the possession of the Republic of Texas and was made a port of entry the 9th October last and whereas the Supreme Congress of said Republic have thought proper to appoint me as Governor of this place in consequence of which if you have any demands on said Government or persons belonging to or residing in the same you will please to send an officer with such demands whom you may be assured will be treated with the greatest politeness and receive every satisfaction required but if you are ordered or should attempt to enter this port in a hostile manner my oath and duty to the Government compels me to rebut your intentions at the expense of my life to prove to you my intentions towards the welfare and harmony of your Government I send enclosed the declaration of several prisoners who were taken in custody yesterday and by a court of inquiry appointed for that purpose were found guilty of robbing the inhabitants of the United States of a number of slaves and species the gentlemen bearing this message will give you any reasonable information relating to this place that may be required yours etc. J. Lafitte about this time one Mitchell who had formerly belonged to Lafitte's gang collected upwards of 150 desperados and fortified himself on an island near Barataria with several pieces of cannon and swore that he and all his comrades would perish within their trenches before they would surrender to any man four of this gang having gone to New Orleans on a frolic information was given to the city watch and the house surrounded when the whole fall with cocked pistols in both hands sallied out and marched through the crowd which made way for them and no person dared to make an attempt to arrest them the United States Qatar, Alabama on her way to the station of the mouth of the Mississippi captured a piratical schooner belonging to Lafitte she carried two guns and 25 men and was fitted out at New Orleans and commanded by one of Lafitte's lieutenants named Lafeige the schooner had a prize in company and being hailed by the Qatar poured into her a volley of musketry the Qatar then opened upon the privateer and a smart action ensued which terminated in favor of the Qatar which had four men wounded and two of them dangerously but the pirate had six men killed both vessels were captured and brought into the bios st. John an expedition was now sent to dislodge Mitchell and his comrades from the island he had taken possession of after coming to anchor a summons was sent for him to surrender which was answered by a brisk cannonade from his breast work the vessels were warped close in shore and the boats manned and sent on shore whilst the vessels opened up upon the pirates the boats cruise landed under a galling fire of grape shot and formed in the most undaunted manner and although a severe loss was sustained they entered the breast work at the point of the bayonet after a desperate fight the pirates gave way many were taken prisoners but Mitchell and the greatest part escaped to the Cyprus swamps where it was impossible to arrest them a large quantity of dry goods and species together with other booty was taken 20 of the pirates were taken and brought to New Orleans and tried before judge hall of the circuit court of the United States 16 were brought in guilty and after the judge had finished pronouncing sentence of death upon the hardened wretches several of them cried out in open court murder by God accounts of these transactions having reached the feet he plainly perceived there was a determination to sweep all his cruisers from the sea and a war of domination appeared to be waged against him in a fit of desperation he procured a large and fast sailing brigantine mounting 16 guns and having selected a crew of 160 men he started without any commission as a regular pirate determined to rob all nations and neither to give or receive quarter a british sloop of war which was cruising in the Gulf of Mexico having heard that Lafitte himself was at sea kept a sharp look out from the mast head when one morning as an officer was sweeping the horizon with his glass he discovered a long dark looking vessel low in the water but having very tall masts with sails white as the driven snow as the sloop of war had the weather gauge of the pirate and could out sail her before the wind she set her studying sails and crowded every inch of canvas in chase as soon as Lafitte ascertained the character of his opponent she set her learnings to be fold and set his big square sail and shot rapidly through the water but as the breeze freshened the sloop of war came up rapidly with the pirate who finding no chance of escaping determined to sell his life as dearly as possible the guns were cast loose and the shot handed up and a fire opened upon the ship which killed a number of men and carried away her four top mast but she reserved her fire until within cable's distance of the pirate there was no discharge from a broadside and a volley of small arms the broadside was too much elevated to hit the low hull of the brigantine but was not without effect the four top mast fell the jaws of the main gaffe were severed and a large proportion of the rigging came rattling down on the deck ten of the pirates were killed but Lafitte remained unhurt the sloop of war entered her men over the starboard bow and a terrific contest with pistols Lafitte received two wounds at this time which disabled him a grape shot broke the bone of his right leg and he received a cut in the abdomen but his crew fought like tigers and the deck was ankle deep with blood and gore the captain of the boarders received such a tremendous blow on the head from the butt end of a musket as stretched him senseless on the deck near Lafitte who raised his dagger to stab him to the heart but the tide of his existence was ebbing like a torrent his brain was giddy his aim faltered and the point descended into the captain's right thigh dragging away the blade with the last convulsive energy of a death struggle he lacerated the wound again the reeking steel was upheld and Lafitte placed his left hand near the captain's heart to make his aim more sure again the dizziness of dissolution spread over his sight down came the dagger into the captain's left thigh and Lafitte was a corpse and the deck was cleared and the boarders rushed below on the main deck to complete their conquest here the slaughter was dreadful till the pirates called out for quarter and the carnage ceased all the pirates that surrendered were taken to Jamaica and tried before the admiralty court where sixteen were condemned to die six were subsequently pardoned and ten executed thus perished Lafitte a man superior in talent in knowledge of his profession in courage and moreover in physical strength but unfortunately his reckless career was marked with crimes of the darkest die End of Chapter 5 Recorded by Kerry Hiles Johannesburg South Africa www.kerryhiles.co.z February 2009 Chapter 6 of the Pirate's Own Book This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Pirate's Own Book by Charles Elms Chapter 6 The Life of Captain Roberts Bartholomew Roberts was trained to a seafaring life among other voyages which he made during the time that he lawfully procured his maintenance he sailed for the Guinea Coast in November 1719 where he was taken by the pirate Davis he was at first very averse to that mode of life and would certainly have deserted had an opportunity occurred it happened to him however as to many upon another element that preferment calmed his conscience and reconciled him to that which he formerly hated Davis having fallen in the manner related those who had assumed the title of lords assembled to deliberate concerning the choice of a new commander there were several candidates who by their services had risen to eminence among their brethren and each of them thought themselves qualified to bear rule one addressed the assembled lords saying that the good of the whole and the maintenance of order demanded ahead but that the proper authority was deposited in the community at large so that if one should be elected and did not act and govern for the general good he could be disposed and another be substituted in his place we the original said he of this claim and should a captain be so saucy as to exceed prescription at any time why down with him it will be a caution after he is dead to his successors to what fatal results any undue assumption may lead however it is my advice while we are sober upon a man of courage and one skilled in navigation one who by his prudence and bravery seems best able to defend this commonwealth and ward us from the dangers and tempests of an unstable element and the fatal consequences of anarchy and such a one I take Roberts to be a fellow in all respects worthy of your esteem and favour this speech was applauded by all but Lord Simpson who had himself strong expectations of obtaining the highest command he at last in a surly tone said he did not regard whom they chose as a commander provided he was not a papist for he had conceived a mortal hatred to papists because his father had been a sufferer in Monmouth's rebellion thus though Roberts had only been a few weeks among them his election was confirmed by the lords and commons he with the best face he could accepted the dignity saying that since he had dipped his hand in muddy water and must be a pirate it was better being a commander than a private man the governor being settled and other officers chosen in the room of those who had fallen with Davis it was resolved not to leave this place without revenging his death accordingly 30 men under the command of Juan Kennedy a bold and profligate fellow landed and under cover of the fire of the ship ascended the hill upon which the fort stood they were no sooner discovered by the Portuguese than they abandoned the fort and took shelter in the town the pirates then entered without opposition set fire to the fort and tumbled the guns into the sea not satisfied with this injury some proposed to land and set the town in flames Roberts however reminded them of the great danger to which this would inevitably expose them that there was a thick wood at the back of the town where the inhabitants could hide themselves and that when they're always at stake they would make a bolder resistance and that the burning or destroying of a few houses would be a small return for their labour and the loss that they might sustain this prudent advice had the desired effect and they contented themselves with lightning the French vessel and battering down several houses of the town to show their high displeasure Roberts sailed southward captured a Dutch guinea man and having emptied her of everything they thought proper returned her to the commander two days after he captured an English ship and as the men joined in pirating emptied and burned the vessel and then sailed for St. Thomas meeting with no prize he sailed Anima Boa and there watered and repaired having again put to sea a vote was taken whether they should sail for the East Indies or for Brazil the latter place was decided upon and they arrived there in twenty-eight days upon this coast are rovers cruised for about nine weeks keeping generally out of sight of land but without seeing a sail which discured them so that they determined to leave the station and steer for the West Indies and in order there too they stood in to make the land for the taking of their departure by which means they fell in unexpectedly with a fleet of forty-two sail of Portuguese ships off the bay of Los Todos Santos with all their lading in for Lisbon several of them of good force who lay there waiting for two men of war of seventy guns each for their convoy however Roberts thought it should go hard with him but he would make up his market among them and thereupon he mixed with the fleet and kept his men concealed till proper resolutions could be formed that done they came close up to one of the deepest and ordered her to send the master on board quietly threatening to give them no quarter if any resistance or signal of distress was made the Portuguese being surprised at these threats and the sudden flourish of cutlisses from the pirates submitted without a word and the captain came on board Roberts saluted him in a friendly manner telling him that they were gentlemen of fortune and that their business with him was only to be informed which was the richest ship in that fleet and if he directed them right he should be restored to a ship without molestation otherwise he must expect instant death he then pointed to a vessel of 40 guns and 150 men and though her strength was greatly superior to Roberts yet he made towards her taking the master of the captured vessel with him coming alongside her Roberts ordered the prisoner to ask how senior captain did and to invite him on board as he had a matter of importance to impart to him he was answered recently Roberts however observing more than ordinary bustle on board at once concluded that they were discovered and pouring a broadside into her they immediately boarded grappled and took her she was a very rich prize laden with sugar, skins and tobacco with 4000 moiders of gold besides other valuable articles in possession of so much riches they had a long solicitous to find a safe retreat in which to spend their time in mirth and wantonness they determined upon a place called the devil's island upon the river Suriname where they arrived in safety and met with a kind reception from the governor and the inhabitants in this river they seized a sloop which informed them that she had sailed in company with a brigantine loaded with provisions were nearly exhausted deeming this too important to business to trust to foreign hands Roberts with forty men in the sloop gave chase to that sail in the keenness of the moment and trusting in his usual good fortune Roberts suppose that he had only to take a short sail in order to bring in the vessel with her cargo but to his sad disappointment he pursued her during eight days and instead of gaining was losing me under these circumstances he came to anchor and sent off the boat to give intelligence of their distress to their companions in their extremity of want they took up part of the floor of the cabin and patched up a sort of tray with rope yarns to paddle on shore to get a little water to preserve their lives when their patience was almost exhausted the boat returned but instead of provisions brought the unpleasing information that the lieutenant one Kennedy had run off with both the ships the misfortune and misery of Roberts were greatly aggravated by reflecting upon his own imprudence and want of foresight as well as from the baseness of Kennedy and his crew impelled by the necessity of his situation he now began to reflect upon the means he should employ for future support under the foolish supposition that any laws, oaths or regulations could bind those who had bidden open defiance to all divine and human laws he proceeded to form a code of regulations for the maintenance of order and unity in his little commonwealth but present necessity compelled them to action and with their small sloop they sailed for the West Indies they were not long before they captured two sloops which supplied them with provisions days after a brigantine and then proceeded to Barbados when off that island they met a vessel of ten guns richly laden from Bristol after plundering and detaining her three days they allowed her to prosecute her voyage this vessel however informed the governor of what had befallen them who sent a vessel of twenty guns and eighty men in quest of the pirates the vessel was commanded by one Rogers who on the second day of his cruise discovered Roberts ignorant of any vessel being sent after them they made toward each other Roberts gave him a gun but instead of striking the other returned a broadside with three Hazaz a severe engagement ensued and Roberts being hard put to it lightened his vessel and ran off Roberts then sailed for the island where he watered and was supplied by the inhabitants with provisions for which he gave them goods in return here he met with fifteen Englishmen left upon the island by a Frenchman who had made a prize of their vessel and they entering into his service proved a seasonable addition to his strength though he did not think this a proper place for cleaning yet as it was absolutely necessary that it should be done he directed his course to the Granada islands for this purpose this however had well nigh proved fatal to him for the governor of Martinique fitted out two sloops to go in quest of the pirates they however sailed to the above mentioned place cleaned with unusual dispatch and just left that place the night before the sloops in pursuit of them arrived they next sailed for Newfoundland on the banks in June 1720 and entered the harbor of Trapezi with their black colors flying, drums beating and trumpet sounding in that harbor there are no less than twenty-two ships which the men abandoned upon the site of the pirates it is impossible to describe the injury which they did at this place by burning or sinking the ships destroying the plantations and pillaging the houses power in the hands of mean and ignorant men renders them wanton, insolent and cruel they are literally like madmen who cast firebrands, arrows and death and say are we not in sport Roberts reserved a Bristol galley from his depredations in the harbor which he fitted and manned for his own service upon the banks he met ten sail of French ships and destroyed them all except one of twenty-six guns which he seized and carried off and called her the fortune then giving the Bristol galley to the Frenchmen they sailed in quest of new adventures and soon took several prizes and out of them increased the number of their own hands the Samuel one of these was a very rich vessel having some respectable passengers on board who were roughly used and threatened with death if they did not drop their money and their goods they stripped the vessel of every article either necessary for their vessel or themselves to the amount of eight or nine thousand pounds they then deliberated whether to sink or burn the Samuel but in the meantime they discovered a sail so they left the empty Samuel and gave the other chase at midnight they overtook her and she proved to be the snow from Bristol and because she was an Englishman they used the master in a cruel and barbarous manner two days after they took the little York of Virginia and the love of Liverpool both of which they plundered and sent off in three days they captured three other vessels removing the goods out of them sinking one and sending off the other two they next sailed for the West Indies but provisions growing short proceeded to St. Christopher's where being denied provisions by the governor they fired on the town and burnt two ships in the roads they then repaired to the island of St. Bartholomew where the governor supplied them with every necessary and caressed them in the kindest manner satiated with indulgence and having taken in a large stock of everything necessary they unanimously voted to hasten to the coast of Guinea in their way they took a Frenchman and as she was fitter for the private service than their own they informed the captain that as a fair exchange was no robbery they would exchange sloops with him accordingly having shifted their men they set sail however going by mistake out of the track of the trade winds they were under the necessity of returning to the West Indies they now directed their course to Suriname but not having sufficient water for the voyage they were soon reduced to a mouthful of water in the day their numbers daily diminished by thirst and famine and the few who survived were reduced to the greatest weakness they at last had not one drop of water or any other liquid when to their inexpressible joy they anchored in seven fathoms of water this tended to revive exhausted nature and inspire them with new vigor though as yet they had received no relief in the morning they discovered land but at such a distance that their hopes were greatly dampened the boat was however sent off and at night returned with plenty of that necessary element but this remarkable deliverance produced no reformation in the manners of these unfeeling and obdurate men steering their course from that place to Barbados in their way they met with a vessel which supplied them with all necessaries not long after they captured a brigantine the mate of which joined their association having from these two obtained a large supply they changed their course and watered at Tobago informed however that there were two vessels sent in pursuit of them they went to return their compliments to the governor of Martinique for this kindness it was the custom of the Dutch interlopers when they approached this island to trade with the inhabitants to hoist their jacks Roberts knew the signal and did so likewise they supposing that a good market was near strove who could first reach Roberts determined to do them all possible mischief he destroyed them one by one as they came into his power he only reserved one ship to send the men on shore and burnt the remainder Roberts and his crew were so fortunate as to capture several vessels and to render their liquors so plentiful that it was esteemed a crime against providence not to be continually drunk one man remarkable for his sobriety along with two others found an opportunity to set off without taking leave of their friends but a dispatch being sent after them they were brought back and in a formal manner tried and sentenced one of them was saved by the humorous interference of one of the judges whose speech was truly worthy of a pirate while the other two suffered the punishment of death when necessity again compelled them they renewed their cruising and dissatisfied with capturing vessels which only afforded them a temporary supply directed their course to the Guinea coast to forage for gold intoxication rendered them unruly and the brigantine at last embraced the cover of night to abandon the Commodore unconcerned at the loss of his companion Roberts pursued his voyage he fell in with two French ships the one of ten guns and sixty-five men and the other of sixteen guns and seventy-five men these dastards no sooner beheld the black flag than they surrendered with these they went to Sierra Leone constituting one of them a consort by the name of the Ranger and the other a storeship this port being frequented by the greater part of the traders to that quarter they remained here six weeks enjoying themselves in all the splendor and luxury of a piratical life after this they renewed their voyage and having captured a vessel the greater part of the men united their fortunes with the pirates on board of one of the ships was a clergyman whom some of them proposed taking along with them for no other reason than that they had not a chaplain on board they endeavored to gain his consent and assured him that he should want for nothing and his only work would be to make punch and say prayers depraved however as these men were they did not choose to constrain him to go but displayed their civility further by permitting him to carry along with him whatever he called his own after several cruises they now went into a convenient harbour at Old Calabar where they cleaned refitted divided their booty and for a considerable time caroused to banish care and sober reflection according to their usual custom the time of festivity and mirth was prolonged until the want of means recalled them to reason and exertion leaving this port they cruised from place to place with varied success but in all their captures either burning, sinking or devoting their prizes to their own use according to the whim of the moment the swallow and another man of war being sent out expressly to pursue and take Roberts and his fleet he had frequent and certain intelligence of their destination but having so often escaped their vigilance and rather too secure and fearless it happened however that while he lay off Cape Lopez the swallow had information of his being in that place and made towards him upon the appearance of a sail one of Roberts' ships was sent to chase and take her the pilot of the swallow seeing her coming manoeuvred his vessel so well that though he fled at her approach in order to draw her out of the reach of her associates yet he at his own time allowed her to overtake the man of war upon her coming up to the swallow the pirate hoisted the black flag and fired upon her but how greatly were her crew astonished when they saw that they had to contend with a man of war and seeing that all resistance was vain they cried out for quarter which was granted and they were made prisoners having ten men killed and twenty wounded by the loss or hurt of one of the king's men on the tenth in the morning the men of war bore away to round the Cape Roberts' crew discerning their mass over the land went down into the cabin to acquaint him of it he being then at breakfast with his new guest Captain Hale on a savory tesh of salmon gundy and some of his own beer he took no notice of it and his man almost as little meaning she was a portugese ship others a french slave ship but the major part swore it was the french ranger returning and they were merrily debating for some time on the manner of reception whether they should salute her or not but as the swallow approached nearer things appeared plainer and though they who showed any apprehension of danger were stigmatized in the name of cowards yet some of them now undeceived the captain of the ship was Captain Roberts especially one Armstrong who had deserted from that ship and knew her well these Roberts swore at as cowards who meant to dishearten the men asking them if it were so whether they were afraid to fight or not in short he hardly refrained from blows what his own apprehensions were till she hauled up her ports and hoisted her proper colors she was convinced he slipped his cable got under sail ordered his men to arms without any show of timidity dropping a first rate oath that it was a bait but at the same time resolved like a gallant rogue to get clear or die there was one Armstrong as was just mentioned a deserterer from the swallow of whom they inquired and therefore if they designed to leave her they should go before it the danger was imminent and the time very short to consult about means to extricate himself his resolution in this straight was as follows to pass close to the swallow with all their sails and receive her broadside before they returned a shot if disabled by this or if they could not depend on sailing and every one to shift for himself among the negroes or failing these to board and blow up together for he saw that the greatest part of his men were drunk passively courageous and unfit for service Roberts himself made a gallant figure at the time of the engagement being dressed in a rich crimson to mask waistcoat and breeches a red feather in his hat a gold chain round his neck a moss hanging to it a sword in his hand and two pairs of pistols hanging at the end of a silk sling flung over his shoulders according to the custom of the pirates he is said to have given his orders with boldness and spirit coming according to what he had proposed close to the man of war he received her fire and then hoisted his black flag and returned it shooting away from her he said he had taken Armstrong's advice to have gone before the wind he had probably escaped but keeping his tracks down either by the winds shifting or ill-steerage or both he was taken aback with his sails and the swallow came a second time very nigh to him he had now perhaps finished the fight very desperately if death, who took a swift passage in a grape-shot had not interposed he settled himself on the tackles of a gun which one, Stevenson from the helm observing ran to his assistant and not perceiving him wounded swore at him and bade him to stand up and fight like a man but when he found his mistake and that his captain was certainly dead he burst into tears and wished the next shot might be his portion they presently threw him overboard with his arms and ornaments on according to his repeated request in his lifetime this extraordinary man and daring pirate was tall of dark complexion about forty years of age and born in Prenbrokeshire his parents were honest and respectable and his natural activity, courage and invention were superior to his education at a very early period he and drinking would implicate vengeance upon the head of him he 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 aside when all the hazard, that is run for it at worst, is only a sour looker too at choking no a merry life and a short one shall be my motto but it was one favorable trait in its 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 their morality 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 a verdict of guilty End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of the Pirates Own Book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Pirates Own Book by Charles Elm Chapter 7 The Life of Charles Gibbs containing an account of atrocities committed in the West Indies this atrocious and cruel pirate when very young became addicted devices uncommon in use 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 for his welfare with ingratitude and neglect his infamous career and ignominious death on the gallows brought down the gray hairs of his parents and sorrowed to the grave this 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 connections 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 he was now made to labor on a farm but having a great antipathy to work when about 15 years of age feeling a great inclination to Rome and like too many unreflecting news of that age a great fondness for the sea he in opposition to the friendly counsel of his parents privately left them and entered on board the United States sloop of war hornet and was in the action when she captured the British sloop of war peacock off the coast of Pernambuco upon the return of the hornet to the United States her brave commander captain Lawrence was promoted for his gallantry to the command of the unfortunate Chesapeake and to which he was followed by young Gibbs a very distinguished part in the engagement with the Shannon which resulted in the death of Lawrence and the capture of the Chesapeake Gibbs states that while on board the Chesapeake the crew previous to the action were almost in a state of mutiny growing out of the non-payment of the prize money and that the address of Captain Lawrence was received by them with coldness and murmurs after the engagement Gibbs became with the survivors of the crew and as such was confined in Dartmoor prison until exchanged after his exchange he returned to Boston were having determined to abandon the sea he applied to his friends in Rhode Island to assist him in commencing business they accordingly lent him $1,000 as a capital to begin with he opened a grocery in Ann Street near what was then called the Tin Pot a place full of abandoned women and desolate fellows as he dealt chiefly in liquor and had a license to retail spirits his drunkery was thronged with customers but he sold his groceries chiefly to loose girls who paid him in their coin which although it answered his purpose would neither buy him goods or pay his rent and he found his stock rapidly dwindling away without his receiving any cash to replenish it by dissipation and inattention his new business proved unsuccessful to him he resolved to abandon it and again try the sea for a subsistence with $100 in his pocket the remnant of his property he embarked in the ship John for Buenos Aires and his means being exhausted soon after his arrival there he entered on board a Buenos Arian privateer and sailed on a cruise a quarrel between the officers and crew in regard to the division of prize money led eventually to a mutiny the mutinyers gained the ascendancy took possession of the vessel landed the crew on the coast of Florida and steered for the West Indies with hearts resolved to make their fortunes at all hazards and where in short time more than 20 vessels were captured by them and nearly 400 human beings murdered Havana was the resort of these pirates to dispose of their plunder and Gibbs sauntered about the place with impunity and was acquainted in all the out of the way the forces of that hotbed of pirates the regla he and his commanders even lodged in the very houses with many of the American officers who were sent out to take them he was acquainted with many of the officers and was appraised of their intended movements before they left the harbor on one occasion the American ship Caroline was captured by two of their piratical vessels off Cape Antonio they were busily engaged in landing the cargo when the British sloop of war jurisous Hauvin sight and sent her barges to attack them the pirates defended themselves for some time behind a small four gun battery which they had erected but in the end were forced to abandon their own vessel and the prize and fly to the mountains for safety the juris found here 12 vessels burnt to the water's edge and it was satisfactorily ascertained that their crews amounting to 150 persons had been murdered the crews, if it was thought not necessary otherwise to dispose of them were sent adrift in their boats and frequently without anything on which they could subsist a single day nor were also fortunate thus to escape dead men can tell no tales was a common saying among them and as soon as a ship's crew was taken a short consultation was held and if it was the opinion of a majority that it would be better to take life than to spare it a single nod a single wink from the captain was sufficient regardless of age or sex all entities for mercy were then made in vain they possessed not the tender feelings to be operated upon by the shrieks and expiring groans of the devoted victims there was a strife among them who with his own hands could dispatch the greatest number and in the shortest period of time without any other motives than to gratify their hellish propensities in their intoxicated moments frequently and unnecessarily shed and many widows and orphans probably made when the lives of the unfortunate victims might have been spared and without the most distant prospect of any evil consequences as regarding themselves resulting there from Gibbs states that sometime in the course of the year 1819 he left Havana and came to the United States bringing with him about $30,000 he passed several weeks in the city of New York and then went to Boston once he took passage for Liverpool in the ship Emerald before he sailed however he has squandered a large part of his money by dissipation and gambling he remained in Liverpool a few months and then returned to Boston his residence in Liverpool at that time is satisfactorily ascertained from another source besides his own confession a female now in New York was well acquainted with him there where she says she lived like a gentleman with apparently abundant means of support in speaking of his acquaintance with this female he says I fell in with a woman who I thought was all virtue but she deceived me and I am sorry to say that a heart that never felt abashed at scenes of carnage and blood was made a child of for a time by her and I gave way to dissipation to drown the torment how often when the fumes of liquor had subsided have I thought of the good and affectionate parents and of their god-like advice but when the little monitor began to move within me I immediately seized the cup to hide myself from myself and drank until the sense of intoxication was renewed my friends advised me to behave myself like a man and promised me their assistance but the demon still haunted me and I spurned their advice in 1826 he revisited the United States in hearing of the war between Brazil and the Republic of Buenos Aires sailed from Boston in the Brighitty of Portsmouth with a determination as he states of trying his fortune in defense of a republican government upon his arrival he made himself known to Admiral Brown and communicated his desire to join their navy the admiral accompanied him to the governor and a lieutenant's commission being given him he joined a ship of 34 guns called the 25th of May here says Gibbs I found Lieutenant Dodge an old acquaintance and a number of other persons with whom I had sailed when the governor gave me the commission he told me they wanted no cowards in their navy to which I replied that I thought he would have no apprehension of my cowardice or skill when he became acquainted with me he thanked me and said he hoped he should not be deceived upon which we drank to his health and to the success of the republic he then presented me with a sword and told me to wear that as my companion through the doubtful struggle in which the republic was engaged I told him I never would disgrace it so long as I had a nerve in my arm I remained on board the ship in the capacity of fifth lieutenant for about four months during which time we had a number of skirmishes with the enemy having succeeded in gaining the confidence of Admiral Brown he put me in command of a privateer schooner mounting two long 24 pounders and 46 men I sailed from Buenos Aires made two good cruises and returned safely to port I then bought one half of a new Baltimore schooner and sailed again but was captured seven days out and carried into Rio de Janeiro where the Brazilians paid me my change I remained there until peace took place then returned to Buenos Aires and then to New York after the lapse of about a year which I passed in traveling from place to place the war between France and Algiers attracted my attention knowing that the French commerce presented a fine opportunity for plunder I determined to embark for Algiers and offer my services to the day I accordingly took passage from New York in the Sally Anne belonging to Bath landed at Barcelona crossed the Port Mahon and endeavored to make my way to Algiers the vigilance of the French fleet prevented the accomplishment of my design and I proceeded to Tunis there finding it unsafe to attempt a journey to Algiers across the desert I amused myself with contemplating the ruins of Carthage and reviving my recollections of her war with the Romans I afterwards took passage to Marcel's and thence to Boston an instance of the most barbarous and cold-blooded murder of which the wretched Gibbs gives an account in the course of his confessions is that of an innocent and beautiful female of about 17 or 18 years of age she was with her parents a passenger on board a Dutch ship bound from Curico to Holland there were a number of other passengers male and female on board all of whom except the young lady above mentioned were put to death her unfortunate parents were in who mainly butchered before her eyes and she was doomed to witness the agonies and to hear the expiring heart-piercing groans of those whom she held here and on whom she depended for protection the life of the wretched daughter was spared for the most nefarious purposes she was taken by the pirates to the west end of Cuba where they had a rendezvous with a small fort that mounted four guns here she was confined about two months and where as has been said by the murderer Gibbs she received such treatment the bear recollection of which causes me to shudder at the expiration of the two months she was taken by the pirates on board one of their vessels and among whom a consultation was soon after held which resulted in the conclusion that it would be necessary for their own personal safety to put her to death and to her a fatal dose of poison was accordingly administered which soon proved fatal when her pure and immortal spirit took its flight to that God whom we believe will avenge her wrongs her lifeless body was then committed to the deep by two merciless wretches with as much unconcern as if it had been that of the meanest brute Gibbs persists in the declaration that in this horrid transaction he took no part that such was his pity for this poor ill-fated female that he interceded for her life so long as he could do it with safety to his own Gibbs in his last visit to Boston remained there but a few days when he took passage to New Orleans and there entered as one of the crew on board the vineyard and for assisting in the murder of the unfortunate captain and mate of which he was justly condemned and the awful sentence of death passed upon him the particulars of the bloody transaction agreeable to the testimony of Dawes and Brown rig the two principal witnesses are as follows the brig vineyard captain William Thornby sailed from New Orleans about the ninth of November for Philadelphia with a cargo of one hundred and twelve captain one hundred thirteen hogshead sugar fifty four casts of molasses and fifty four thousand dollars in special besides the captain there were on board the brig William Roberts mate six seamen shipped at New Orleans and the cook Robert Dawes one of the crew states on examination that when about five days out he was told that there was money on board Charles Gibbs E church and the steward then determined to take possession of the they asked James Talbot another of the crew to join them he said no as he did not believe there was money in the vessel they concluded to kill the captain and mate and if Talbot and John Brown rig would not join them to kill them also the next night they talked of doing it and got their clubs ready Dawes dared not say a word as they declared they would kill him if he did as they did not agree about killing Talbot and Brown rig two shipmates it was put off it was next concluded to kill the captain and mate on the night of November 22 but did not get ready but on the night of the 23rd between 12 and 1 o'clock as Dawes was at the helm saw the steward come up with a light and a knife in his hand he dropped the light and seizing the pump break struck the captain with it over the head or back of the neck the captain was sent forward by the blow and hallowed oh and murder once he was then seized by Gibbs and the cook one by the head and the other by the heels and thrown overboard Atwell and Church stood at the companion way to strike down the mate when he should come up as he came up and inquired what was the matter they struck him over the head he ran back into the cabin and Charles Gibbs followed him down but as it was dark he could not find him Gibbs came on deck for the light with which he returned Dawes' light being taken from him he could not see the steer he left the helm to see what was going on below Gibbs found the mate and seized him while Atwell and Church came down and struck him with a pump break and a club he was then dragged upon deck they called for Dawes to come to them and as he came up the mate seized his hand and gave him a death grip three of them then hove him overboard but which three Dawes did not know the mate when cast overboard was not dead but called after them twice while in the water Dawes says he was so frightened that he hardly knew what to do they then requested him to call Talbot who was in the forecastle saying his prayers he came up and said it would be his turn next but they gave him some grog and told him not to be afraid as they would not hurt him if he was true to them he should fare as well as they did one of those who had been engaged in the bloody deed got drunk and another became crazy after killing the captain and mate they set about overhauling the vessel and got up one keg of Mexican dollars they then divided the captain's clothes and money about $40 and a gold watch Dawes, Talbot and Brownrig who were all innocent of the murder were obliged to do as they were commanded the former who was placed at the helm was ordered to steer for Long Island on the day following they divided several kegs of the specie amounting to $5,000 each they made bags and sewed the money up after this division they divided the remainder of the money without counting it on Sunday when about 15 miles south south east of South Hampton light they got the boats out and put half the money in each they then scuttled the vessel and set fire to it in the cabin and took to the boats Gibbs after the murder took charge of the vessel as captain from the papers they learnt that the money belonged to Stephen Gerard with the boats they made the land about daylight Dawes and his three companions were in the longboat the others with Atwell were in the jolly boat on coming to the bar the boat struck in the longboat they threw overboard a trunk of clothes and a great deal of money in all about $5,000 the jolly boat foundered they saw the boat fill and heard them cry out and saw them clinging to the mass they went ashore on barren island and buried the money in the sand but very lightly soon after they met with a gunner whom they requested to conduct them where they could get some refreshments they were by him conducted to Johnson's the only man living on the island where they stayed all night Dawes went to bed at about 10 o'clock Jack Brownrig set up with Johnson and in the morning told Dawes that he had told Johnson all about the murder Johnson went in the morning with the steward for the clothes which were left on the top of the place where they buried the money if they took away the money the prisoners, Gibbs and Wainsley were brought to trial at the February term of the United States court Holden in the city of New York when the foregoing facts being satisfactorily approved they were pronounced guilty and on the 11th March last the awful sentence of the law was passed upon them in the following affecting and impressive manner the court opened at 11 o'clock Judge Betts presiding a few minutes after that hour Thomas J. Wainsley the prisoner at the bar having been tried by a jury of his country and found guilty of the murder of Captain Thornby I now move that the sentence of the court be pronounced upon that verdict by the court Thomas J. Wainsley you have heard what has been said by the district attorney by the grand jury of the south district of New York you have been arraigned for the willful murder of the jury of the brick vineyard you have been put upon your trial and after a patient and impartial hearing you have been found guilty the public prosecutor now moves for judgment on that verdict have you anything to say why the sentence of the law should not be passed upon you Thomas J. Wainsley I will say a few words but it is perhaps of no use I have often understood that there is a great deal of difference in respective color in this court Dawes and Brownrig were as guilty as I am and these witnesses have tried to fasten upon me greater guilt than is just for their life has been given to them you have taken the blacks from their own country to bring them here to treat them ill I have seen this the witnesses, the jury and the prosecuting attorney consider me more guilty than Dawes to condemn me for otherwise the law must have punished him he should have had the same verdict for he was a perpetrator in the conspiracy notwithstanding my participating they have sworn falsely for the purpose of taking my life they would not even inform the court how I gave information of money being on board they had the biggest part of the money and have sworn falsely I have said enough I will say no more by the court the court will wait patiently and hear all you have to say if you have anything further to add Wainsley then proceeding in the first place I was the first to ship on board the vineyard at New Orleans I knew nobody I saw the money come on board the judge that first examined me did not take my deposition down correctly when talking with the crew on board said the break was an old craft and when we arrived at Philadelphia we all agreed to leave her it was mentioned to me that there was plenty of money on board Henry Atwell said I knew no more of this for some days Atwell came to me again and asked what thank you of taking the money I thought it was a joke and paid no attention to it the next day he said they had determined to take the break in money and that they were the strongest party and would murder the officers and he that informed should suffer with them I knew church in Boston and in a joke asked him how it was made up in the ship's company his reply that it was he and Dawes there was no arms on board as was ascertained the conspiracy was known to the whole company and had I informed my life would have been taken and though I knew if I was found out my life would be taken by law which is the same thing so I did not inform I have committed murder and I know I must die for it by the court if you wish to add anything further you will still be heard the district attorney rose and moved for judgment on Gibbs in the same manner as in the case of Wainsley and the court having addressed Gibbs in similar terms concluded by asking what he had to say why the sentence of the law should not now be passed upon him Charles Gibbs said I wish to state to the court how far I am guilty and how far I am innocent in this transaction when I left New Orleans I was a stranger to all on board it was off tortugas that Atwell first told me there was money on board and proposed to me to take possession of the Brig I refused at that time the conspiracy was talked of for some days and at last I agreed that I would join Brown Rigg, Dawes, Church and the whole agreed that they would a few days after however having thought of the affair I mentioned to Atwell what a dreadful thing it was to take a man's life and commit piracy and recommended him to abolish their plan Atwell and Dawes remonstrated with me I told Atwell that if ever he would speak of the subject again I would break his nose had I kept to my resolution I would not have been brought here to receive my sentence it was three days afterwards that the murder was committed Brown Rigg agreed to call the captain from the cabin and this man pointing to Wainsley agreed to strike the first blow the captain was struck and I suppose killed and I lent a hand to throw him overboard but for the murder of the mate of which I have been found guilty I am innocent I had nothing to do with that the mate was murdered by Dawes and Church that I am innocent of this I commit my soul to that God who will judge all flesh who will judge all murderers and false swears and the wicked who deprive the innocent of his right I have nothing more to say by the court Thomas J. Wainsley and Charles Gibbs the court has listened to you patiently and attentively and although you have said something in your own behalf yet the court has heard nothing to affect the deepest and most painful duty that he who presides over a public tribunal has to perform you Thomas J. Wainsley conceived that a different measure of justice has been meted out to you because of your color look back upon your whole course of life think of the laws under which you have lived and you will find that white or black to free or bound there is no ground for your allegations that they are not supported by truth or justice admit that browning and Dawes has sworn falsely admit that Dawes was concerned with you admit that brown rig is not innocent admit in relation to both that they are guilty the whole evidence has proved beyond a doubt that you are guilty and your own words admit that you were an active agent in perpetrating this horrid crime two fellow beings who confided in you and in their perilous voyage called in your assistance yet you without reason or provocation have maliciously taken their lives if per adventure there was the slightest foundation for a doubt of your guilt in the mind of the court judgment would be arrested but there is none and it now remains to the court to pronounce the most painful duty that devolves upon a civil magistrate the court is persuaded of your guilt it can form no opinion testimony has been heard before the court and jury from that we must form our opinion we must proceed upon testimony ascertain facts by evidence of witnesses on which we must inquire judge and determine as to guilt or innocence by that evidence alone you have been found guilty you now stand for the last time before an earthly tribunal and by your own acknowledgments the sentence of the law falls just on your heads when men in ordinary cases come under the penalty of the law there is generally some palliative something to warm the sympathy of the court and jury men may be led astray and under the influence of passion have acted under some long smothered resentment suddenly awakened by the force of circumstances depriving him of reason and then they may take the life of a fellow being killing under that kind of excitement might possibly awaken some sympathy but that was not your case you had no provocation what offense had Thornby or Roberts committed against you they entrusted themselves with you as able and trustworthy citizens confiding implicitly in you no one act of theirs after a full examination appears to have been offensive to you yet for the purpose of securing the money you coolly determined to take their lives you slept and deliberated over the act you were tempted on and yielded you entered into the conspiracy with cool and determined calculation to deprive two human beings of their lives and it was done you Charles Gibbs have said that you are not guilty of the murder of Roberts but were you not there strongly instigating the murderers on and without stretching out a hand to save him it is murder as much to stand by and encourage the deed as to stab with a knife strike with a hatchet or shoot with a pistol it is not only murder in law but in your own feelings and in your intentions not withstanding all this I cannot believe that your feelings are so callous so holy callous that your own minds do not melt when you look back upon the unprovoked deeds of yourselves and those confederated with you you are American citizens this country affords means of instruction to all your appearance and your remarks have added evidence that you are more than ordinarily intelligent that your education has enabled you to participate in the course of life of the wicked in early life in boyhood when you heard of the conduct of men who engaged in robbery name or when you heard of cold-blooded murder how you must have shrunk from the recital yet now after having participated in the advantages of education after having arrived at full maturity you stand here as robbers and murderers it is a perilous employment of murderers it is a perilous employment of life that you have followed in this way of life the most enormous crimes that man can commit are murder and piracy with what detestation would you in early life have looked upon the man who would have raised his hand against his officer or committed piracy yet now you both stand here murderers and pirates tried and found guilty you wansley of the murder of your captain and you Gibbs of the murder of your mate the evidence has convinced you that your mate the evidence has convicted you of rising in mutiny against the master of the vessel for that alone the law is death of murder and robbery on the high seas for that crime the law adjudges death of destroying the vessel and embezzling the cargo even for scuttling and burning the vessel alone the law is death yet of all these the evidence has convicted you and it only remains now for the court to pass the sentence of the law it is that Thomas J. Wansley and Charles Gibbs be taken hence to the place of confinement there to remain in close custody that then you be taken to the place of execution and on the 22nd April next between the hours of 10 and 4 o'clock you both be publicly hang by the neck until you are dead and that your bodies be given to the college of physicians and surgeons for dissection the court added that the only thing discretionary with it was the have been ordered that you should instantly have been taken from the stand to the scaffold but the sentence has been deferred to as distant a period as prudent 6 weeks but this time has not been granted for the purpose of giving you any hope for pardon or commutation of the sentence just as sure as you live till the 22nd of April as surely you will suffer death therefore indulge not a hope that this sentence will be changed the how they cling to life whether in youth manhood or old age what an awful thing it is to die how in the perils of the sea when rocks or storms threaten the loss of the vessel and the lives of all on board how the crew will labored night and day in the hope of escaping shipwreck and death alluded to the tumult, bustle and confusion of battle yet even there the hero clings to life the court adverted not only to the certainty of their coming doom that they should seriously think and reflect of their future state that they would be assisted in their devotions no doubt by many pious men when the court closed Charles Gibbs asked if during his imprisonment his friends would be permitted to see him the court answered that that lay with the marshal who then said that no difficulty would exist on that score the remarks of the prisoners were delivered in a strong full toned and unwavering voice and they both seemed perfectly resigned to the fate while Judge Betts was delivering his address to them Wainsley was deeply affected and shed tears but Gibbs gazed with a steady and unwavering eye and no sign betrayed the least emotion of his heart after his condemnation and during his confinement his frame became somewhat enfeebled his face paler and his eyes more sunken but the air of his bold enterprising and desperate mind still remained in his narrow cell he seemed more like an object of pity than vengeance was affable and communicative and when he smiled exhibited so mild and gentle a continence that no one would take him to be a villain his conversation was concise and pertinent and his style of illustration quite original Gibbs was married in Buenos Aires where he has a child now living his wife is dead by a singular concurrence of circumstances the woman with whom he became acquainted in Liverpool and who is said at that time to have borne a decent character was lodged in the same prison with himself during his confinement he wrote her two letters one of them is subjoined to gratify the perhaps innocent curiosity which is naturally felt to know the peculiarities of a man's mind and feelings under such circumstances and not for the purpose of intimating a belief that he was truly penitent the reader will be surprised with the apparent readiness with which he made quotations from scripture Bellevue prison March 20th 1831 it is with regret that I take my pen in hand to address you with these few lines under the great embarrassment of my feelings placed within these gloomy walls my body bound with chains and under the awful sentence of death it is enough to throw the strongest mind into gloomy prospects but I find that Jesus Christ is sufficient to give consolation to the most despairing soul for he say at that he that come to me I will in no ways cast out but it is impossible to describe unto you the horror of my feelings my breath is like a tempetuous ocean raging in its own shame harrowing up the bottom of my soul but I look forward to that serene calm when I shall sleep with kings and counselors of the earth there the wicked seas from troubling and there the weary are at rest there the prisoners rest together they hear not the voice of the oppressor thus that there my breast will not be ruffled by the storm of sin for the thing which I greatly feared has come upon me I was not in safety nor had I rest yet trouble came it is the Lord let him do what seemeth to him good when I saw you in Liverpool and a peaceful calm wafted across both our breasts and justice no claim upon us little did I think to meet you in the gloomy walls of a strong prison and the arm of justice stretched out the sword of law awaiting the appointed period to execute the dreadful sentence I have had a fair prospect in the world at last it budded and brought forth the gallows I am shortly to mount the scaffold and to bid adieu to this world and all that was ever dear to my breast but I trust when my body is mounted on the gallows high the heavens above will smile and pity me I hope that you will reflect on your past and fly to that Jesus with open arms to receive you your character is lost it is true when the wicked turneth from the wickedness that they have committed they shall save their soul alive let us imagine for a moment that we see the soul standing before the awful tribunal and we hear its dreadful sentence depart e-cursed into everlasting fire imagine you hear the awful lamentations of a soul in hell it would be enough to melt your heart if it was as hard as adamant fall upon your knees and plead for God's mercy as a famished person would for food or as a dying criminal would for a pardon we soon very soon must go the way once we shall never return our names will be struck off the records of the living and enrolled in the vast catalogs of the dead but may it never be numbered with the damned I hope it will please God to set you at your liberty and that you may see the sins and follies of your past life in the letter with a few words which I hope you will receive as from a dying man and I hope that every important truth of this letter may sink deep in your heart and be a lesson to you through life rising griefs distressed my soul and tears on tears successive roll for many an evil voice is near to chide my woes and mock my fear and silent memory weeps alone or hours of peace and gladness known I still remain your sincere friend Charles Gibbs in another letter which the wretched Gibbs wrote after his condemnation to one who had been his early friend he writes as follows alas it is now and not until now that I have become sensible of my wicked life from my childhood and the enormity of the crime for which I must shortly suffer an ignominious death I would to God that I never have been born or that I had died in my infancy the hour of reflection has indeed come too late to prevent justice from cutting me off my mind recoils with horror at the thoughts of the unnatural deeds of which I have been guilty my repose rather prevents than affords me relief as my mind while I slumber is constantly disturbed by frightful dreams of my approaching awful dissolution on Friday April 22nd Gibbs and Wainsley paid the penalty for their crimes both prisoners arrived at the gallows at 12 o'clock Marshall his aides and some 20 or 30 United States Marines to clergymen attended them to the fatal spot where everything being in readiness and the ropes adjusted about their next the throne of mercy was fervently addressed in their behalf Wainsley then prayed earnestly himself and afterwards joined in singing a hymn these exercises concluded Gibbs addressed the spectators nearly as follows my dear friends my crimes have been heinous and although I am now about to suffer for the murder of Mr. Roberts I solemnly declare my innocence of the transaction it is true I stood by and saw the fatal deed done and stretch not forth my arm to save him the technicalities of a law believe me guilty of the charge but in the presence of my God before whom I shall be in a few minutes I declare I did not murder him I have made a full and frank confession to Mr. Hopson which probably most of my present have already read and should any of the friends of those whom I have been accessory to are engaged in the murder of be now present before my maker I beg their forgiveness it is the only boon I ask and as I hope for pardon through the blood of Christ surely this request will not be withheld by man to a worm like myself standing as I do on the very verge of eternity another moment and I cease to exist and could I find in my bosom room to imagine that the spectators now assembled had forgiven me the scaffold would have no tears nor could the precept which my much respected friend the marshal of the district is about to execute let me then in this public manner return my sincere thanks to him for his kind and gentlemanly deportment during my confinement he was to me like a father and his humanity to a dying man I hope will be duly appreciated by an enlightened community the time was piracy for which my life would pay for forfeit on conviction no punishment could be inflicted on me further than that and therefore I had nothing to fear but detection for had my offenses been millions of times more aggravated than they are now death must have satisfied all Gibbs having concluded Wainsley began he said he might be called a pirate a robber and a murderer and he was all of these but he hoped and trusted God would through Christ wash away his aggravated crimes and offenses and not cast him entirely out his feelings he said were so overpowered that he hardly knew how to address those about him but he frankly admitted the justness of the sentence and concluded by declaring that he had no hope of pardon except through the atoning blood of his redeemer and wished that his sad fate might teach others to shun the broad road to ruin and travel in that a virtue which would lead to honor and happiness in this world and immortal crown of glory in that to come he then took hands with Gibbs the officers and clergyman their caps were drawn over their faces a handkerchief dropped by Gibbs as a signal to the executioner caused the court to be severed and in an instance they were suspended in there Wainsley folded his hands before him soon died with very trifling struggles Gibbs died hard before he was run up and did not again remove them but after being near suspended he raised his right hand and partially removed his cap and in the course of another minute raised the same hand to his mouth his dress was a blue round about jacket and trousers with a foul anchor in white on his right arm Wainsley wore a white frock coat trimmed with black with trousers of the same color after the bodies had remained on the gallows the usual time they were taken down and given to the surgeons for dissection Gibbs was rather below the middle stature thick set and powerful the form of Wainsley was a perfect model of manly beauty End of Chapter 7