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Woodes Rogers to James Craggs—24 Dec 1718

Letters – Woodes Rogers to Secr. Craggs—24 Dec 1718

"America and West Indies: December 1718, 22-31," in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 30, 1717-1718, ed. Cecil Headlam (London: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1930), 424-446. British History Online, accessed January 9, 2019, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol30/pp424-446.

 

Dec. 24. [1718]

Nassau on Providence.     807. Governor Rogers to Mr. Secretary Craggs. By the ship Samuel, 11th Nov., being the first oppertunity I have had since my arrival, I sent three men prisoners being accused of piracy and the evidences etc. I was at that time too weak to bring them to a tryal, for most of the people here having led the same course of life notwithstanding their seeming concurrence of being quiet under the present Government, I did not know but if I had adventur'd to have try'd them and brought to execution, but an insurrection might have rescued them from the guards and since I did not think myself secure to try the pirates I did not give myself time to consider the power I had to try them in case of necessity, wch. I have since done my reasons are here enclosed wch. I was not willing to make publick here, or even to trust a coram of my Council. A little after the Samuel's departure, I receiv'd advice of Sir George Bing's success against the Spaniards in the Mediterranean which wth. other circumstances seem'd to me that the war were either proclaim'd or on foot. These advices I was glad to believe for on my strong remonstrances to the people of the great probability of an actual war I readily procur'd their assistance wch. wth. much application and expence of provisions and liquors having supplied whilst at work extravagantly with both, the fort is now made tenible and in the manner laid down in the draught herewith sent. The people did for 14 days work vigorously, seldom less than 200 men a day, but nothing but their innate thirst of revenge on the Spaniard could prompt them to such zeal, which was so strong that they forgott they were at the same time strengthning a curb for themselves. Having lately had intelligence of certain pirates who had run away wth. some vessels fitted out of this port and where they might be found I equipped a sloop with sufficient men and arms under ye command of Capt. Hornigold and Cockram who had themselves been pirates, but accepted of H.M. Act of Grace and by their behaviour since my arrival gave me full confidence of their sincerity, wch. has been successfully confirmed by their apprehending them to the number of 13, three whereof dyed of their sincerity, wch. has been successfully confirmed by their apprehending them to the number of 13, three whereof dyed of their wounds; I am glad of this new proof Capt. Hornigold has given the world to wipe off the infamous name he has hitherto been known by, thô in the very acts of piracy he comitted most people spoke well of his generosity. These last prisoners were brought to me when I was made stronger and after a leisure I had to persue and consider of my power invested by my Commission and Instructions etc. Encloses proceedings etc. One George Rounsivell I reprieved under the gallows, till I know H.M. pleasure etc. He is the son of loyall and good parents in Dorsetshire etc. Begs his intercession with H.M. etc. Continues:—I design to send an accessary of piracy and such evidence as I can best procure by a ship yt. I believe will saile hence in about a month. I have five more now in custody suspected guilty of piracy since H.M. Act of Grace. As soon as the Fort is finish'd and all the guns mounted wch. I hope will be done before the Christmas holy days are over, I will then do the best I can to make examples of some of them. By wch. time I hope to have more of them in custody, we having two small cruizers mann'd with 50 men now out to look for two pirates yt. are newly sett up wth. about 15 men each. It's near three months and a half since Capt.Havana carrying a letter from me and some Spaniards that was left here wth. him, and promis'd to return in three weeks at most, but now I hear he's got at New York and writes hither that the Spaniards designe to begin wth. us first and yt. the Governour of the Havana takes no notice of my passes but keeps the men of this Governt. that falls into their hands in custody, this Capt. Whitney, H.M.S. Rose, left me in a great extremity, to go to the Havana carrying a letter from me and some Spaniards that was left here wth. him, and promis'd to return in three weeks at most, but now I hear he's got at New York and writes hither that the Spaniards designe to begin wth. us first and yt. the Governour of the Havana takes no notice of my passes but keeps the men of this Governt. that falls into their hands in custody, this Capt. Whitney pretends he was drove from the Havana to New York by stress of weather. I very much wonder how it was possible he could shere clear of Providence that lyes so directly in his way. There are three more of H.M. ships at New York that has layne there some time whilst the pirates has been very troublesome to us and Carolina and almost everywhere in the West Indies. I beg if any of H.M. ships are order'd this way for the future, that they may be under ye direction of ye Goverment and Council, especially whilst they are here, and then we may be capable to joyn them in serving the Publick. I would not undergoe the like fatigue and risque as I have done ever since I have been here for the proffits of any employ upon earth but I hope I am now out of danger at least of ye pirates, and if the Spaniards come it must be with a greater force then I hope they'l spare for some time, whilst I may have recruits and another Independt. Company from England, no time shall be lost to make this place not less considerable then can be expected after so many misfortunes and disappointments amongst a very odd sort of people wth. so small a beginning. I hope ye extraordinary charge I have been forc'd to put the Gentlemen to, that has been so generous to employ me in serving ye publick will be made up by the publick, my utmost ambition being to demonstrate myself deserving the honour and trust H.M. has been pleas'd to bestow on me etc. Signed, W.R. Copy of letter sent by James Ker via Carolina. 10 pp. [C.O. 23, 13. ff. 20–24 v.]

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