A Story of Taylor, Cocklyn, and Levasseur

From Snelgrave:

...Amongst my Adventure of Goods, I had in a Box three second-hand embroidered Coats. One day the three Pirate Captains, coming on board the Prize together, enquired for them, saying, "They under­stood by my Book such clothes were in my Ship". I told them "They were in a Box under the bed place in the Stateroom". So they ordered them to be taken out, and immediately put them on. But the longest Coat falling to Cocklyn's Share, who was a very Short Man, it almost reached as low as his Ancles. This very much displeased him, and he would fain have changed with Le Boose, or Davis: But they refused, telling him "As they were going on Shore amongst the Negroe-Ladies, who did not know the white Men's fash­ions, it was no matter. Moreover, as his Coat was Scarlet em­broidered with Silver, they believed he would have the preference of them, (whose coats were not so showy) in the opinion of their Mistresses". This making him easy, they all went on Shore to­gether.

            It is a Rule amongst the Pirates, not to allow Women to be on board their Ships, when in the Harbour. And if they should take a Prize at Sea that has any Women on board, no one dares, on pain of death to force them against their Inclinations. This being a good political Rule to prevent disturbances amongst them, it is strictly observed. So now being in a Harbour, they went on Shore to the Negroe-women, who were very fond of their Company, for the sake of the great Presents they gave them. Nay, some white Men that lived there did not scruple to lend their black Wives to the Pirates, purely on account of the great Rewards they gave.

            The Pirate Captains having taken these Cloaths without leave from the Quartermaster, it gave great Offence to all the Crew, who alledg'd "If they suffered such things, the Captains would for the future assume a Power, to take whatever they liked for themselves". So, upon their returning on board next Morning, the Coats were taken from them, and put into the common Chest 3.1], to be sold at the Mast. And it having been reported "That I had a hand in advising the Captains to put on these Coats" it gained me the ill-will in particular of One [Palgrave] Williams who was Quarter-master of Le Boose's Ship. He seeing me in the Tender's Boat, going on board a French Ship lately taken, where he then was, he swore "That if I came there, he would cut me to pieces, for the advice I had given the Captains” But Captain Elliot, who was then in the Boat whispered to me, saying, "Don't be afraid of him, for it is his usual way of talking. But be sure to call him Captain, as soon as you get on Board". It seems this Villain had been Com­mander of a Pirate Sloop [the Marianne]; who, with a Brigantine [=The Sultana], two years be­fore, took Captain Laurence Prince in the Whidaw Galley near Jamaica; and being now Quarter-master, which he did not like, he loved to have the Title of Captain given him. So when I came into the French Ship, I addressed myself to him, saying, "Captain Williams, pray hear me upon the Point you are so offended at." Upon that he gave me a slight Blow on the Shoulder with the flat of his Cutlace, swearing at the same time, "he had not the heart to hurt me"; when I had told him how the affair had really happe­n'd which he had been so angry about, he gave me a Keg of Wine, and was my Friend ever after.

Snelgrave, William, A New Account of Some Parts of Guinea, III. A relation of the author's being taken by pirates, Eighteenth Century Collection Online Print Edition. London: printed for James, John, and Paul Knapton, 1734,  pp.255-259.

Richard Lazenby, Part Two

The narrative here shifts back to Richard Lazenby:”They then cruised to the southwards and the next day between Goa and Karwar hearing guns, they sent out their boat to discover what ships were in the roads of Anjediva near by. About two in the morning the boat returned with word of two grabs lying at anchor in the road on which the Pirates weighed and ran down till daylight giving the grabs sight of them, they ran under the walls of the Castle wronging the Pirates. The Pirates held a council to see what they should do whether to make a descent or continue their voyage, and agreeing on the latter they went down to the southwards.

“The next morning they came to Honawar Bay wherin they spied a ship at anchor which they took, it having no one aboard but a Dutchman and two Portuguese, the captain being ashore with his officers. They sent to him to acquaint him that he could have his ship again if he would supply them with fresh provisions and water and the master returned for answer that if they would deliver him possession over the bar, he would comply with their request. This proposal the Pirates thought was but a trap, and the mate who honestly entered with them, being of the same opinion, they resolved to go for the Laccadives, first burning the ship.

“The same day of their arrival they took a small Manchew near the Island of Amendivi. They then sent their boat ashore which returned giving a good account of abundance of water and a large village. But, at the sight of he ships, the inhabitants fled off in boats to the neighboring Islands leaving abundance of women and children hidden in the bushes, which the Pirates found and forced to their barbarous inclinations. Afterwards they destroyed all the coco-nut trees and everything else they met with and then burnt the houses an churches. Whilst there they had a great gale which drove them off the island, after losing several anchors and leaving 70 people and their water casks ashore.

“It was ten days before they again made the Island and took aboard their men and their water. They then went to Cochin to be supplied with provisions by their good friends the Dutch. Three days later they took a small ship belonging to Governor Adam off Tellicherry, John Fawke, Master, who was brought aboard very drunk. He giving them an account of Captain Macrae's fitting out a fleet (incorrect) which put them all into a tempest of passion. 'The Villain,' says they, 'that we treated so civilly as to give him a ship and other presents, and now to come armed against us? He ought to be hanged, and since we cannot shew our resentment on him let us hang the dogs who wish him well if clear,' says the Quartermaster, 'Damn England!'

“Then the Quartermaster told me to prepare, for the next day he would hang me like a dog, not doubting that I would take the first opportunity to fight against them as Captain Macrae was doing though they had so civilly used him as to give him a ship to go from Johanna. They next proceeded to Calicut where they endeavoured to take a large ship from out of the roads, but were intercepted by guns fired at them from on shore. At this time I was below, but the Captain and the Quartermaster were so malicious as to order me to the boom in the hope I should be shot. The Quartermaster told me that if ever he knew me off the deck in time of action he would shoot me through the head.

“I told him he had better do it at once than keep me in misery there, at which he begged the Captain to correct me, he being lame of his hands. According to his desire Captain Taylor fetched his cane and began to belabour me so unmercifully that in the end some of the people hindered him and said he should be ashamed to so abuse me, telling him they would have me put ashore at Cochin. The next day they came up with a Dutch Galliott laden with limestone bound for Cochin aboard of which they put Captain Fawke. Some of the people told the Captain he might as well let me go, but he answered that if they had a mind to let a dog go that had heard all their designs for the ensuing year, he would never consent to it.

“This occasioned a strong debate, and so far enraged the Captain that he swore if I went he would first have a limb of me to his own share. The next day they arrived off Cochin and in the afternoon ran into the road with the sea breeze and anchoring saluted the fort with eleven guns each ship, the Fort returning the same, gun for gun. At night there came a great boat laden with fresh provisions and liquor sent them by one John Trumpett, a Dutchman, which boat told them to weigh and run further south where they would be supplied with all they desired. At night there came aboard the said john Trumpett, bringing a large boatload of arrack which they received with abundance of joy, demanding more.

He said he had procured for them all that the place yielded which was about 90 leaguers (20 gallon barrels). With this came 60 bundles of sugar cane (for punch). The second day they sent ashore a fine table clock from the Cassandra and a large gold watch presents to the governor as earnests of what they would pay if all their demands were satisfied. When they had all on board, they paid Mr. Trumpett to his satisfaction, it was computed, f6,000 to f7,000, and gave him three cheers, fired eleven guns from each ship, and threw ducatoons (5s.) into the boats by handsful for the boatmen to scramble for.

“That night, being a little wind, they did not weigh, and the next day, John Trumpett returned with more arrack, piece goods and ready made clothes. At noon they saw a sail to the southward, on which they immediately weighed and stood after her. But she, having a good offing, got away, and anchored under the walls of Cochin Fort. In the morning they had sight of her, and came into the roads, being assured by the aforesaid John Trumpett and the Fiscal of Cochin, that they might take her without any molestation, and if they did, they would buy her from the pirates for as good a price as any.

“They stood boldly in to board her, but when within a cable's length, the Fort fired her guns, at which the Pirates instantly bore out of the roads and made sail to their former berth. At night a great boat with water came from John Trumpett, and intimation that if they would wait a few days longer there would come by a very rich ship belonging to the brother of the Governor of Bombay. They spent the night getting in the water, and in the morning continued their cruise. When at sea, they held a council, at which some were for going forthwith to Madagascar, others to stay and cruise for a rich Moors ship.

“The latter they at last agreed upon, on which they plied to the southward, where they saw a ship lying in shore, but she having the wind of them, they could not get near her. The night coming on, they separated, thinking in the morning to have her between them, but in this they were disappointed, for when day broke they were very near five sail, which made signals to them to bear down. This put them into great confusion, by reason that their consort was three leagues to the southward, so they immediately stood towards her and joined company, the fleet chasing them all the time. At first they were very dejected, thinking this the fleet under Captain Macrae, sent out after them, and made all sail possible.

“After three hours, finding none of the fleet coming up with them, except a grab, which came half way and went back, they began to rejoice, and in the morning, finding the fleet completely out of sight, were very rejoiced, desiring none of Macrae's company. Thinking themselves now out of danger, they caroused, and kept their Christmas in a most riotous manner, destroying most of the fresh provisions they had aboard, of which quite two-thirds was wasted. After three days of such debauchery ad waste, they decided to go to Mauritius to repair the Victory, which was now in a very bad way. In their passage thither, hey expected her to founder every day, and were several times going to quit her, were it not for scarcity of water and provisions, and that there was still a quantity of arrack aboard.

“At this time, they were reduced to one bottle of water per man, and two pounds of beef, and a small quantity of rice for each a man for ten days, though the water came every day. Had it not been for the arrack and the sugar, most of them must have perished of hunger and thirst. In this condition they arrived at Mauritius in the middle of February 1721, finding there good provision of all sorts, and materials with which to repair and re-sheath their leaky ship. Having completed their arrangements they sailed for Mascarenhas, on the 5^th April , and arrived there at eight in the morning of the 8^th inst. They found lying there a large Poryguese ship of 70 guns, which they took with small resistance, by reason she had lost all her masts and all save 21 of her guns in a great storm in latitude 13. Viceroy of Goa, and several other gentlemen that were passengers, and had gone ashore, came aboard the Pirate ship in the morning, believing she and her consort were 'English Company' ships. After they had taken the Viceroy and his ship, the Pirates had account of an Ostender that lay to the leeward of the Island, so they made their way thither and took her. There now happened a great cabal amongst the Pirates on the Viceroy's account, some being for carrying him to Mozambique for a great ransom, and others saying 'twere better to take a smaller sum there than to be troubled further.

“At last they compounded for 2,000 dollars for the ransom of the Viceroy. At this place, I John Lazenby, begged earnestly to be put ashore, which in the end was granted, and on the 10^th instant, I went ashore with the Viceroy and all the other prisoners. The Governor of this place interceded with the Pirates to leave a ship to carry away all those landed from the Viceroy's ship, they being more than the Island could properly support. With smooth promises, the Pirates said they would call a council to see what should be done. But instead, they sailed away during the night, carrying with them the bests of the sailors taken in the two ships, besides 200 Mozambique laves taken from the Viceroy's ship.

“They designed to go for Madagascar and there to clean the Cassandra, and sell their negroes, and from thence to the Red Sea. If they met no success in the Red Sea they would then go to Cochin to sell their Dutch friends the diamonds taken in the Portuguese ship, which the Viceroy since told me were of the value of three or four million dollars.”

 

This is the end of Lazenby's narrative.

1Grey, Charles, Pirates of the Eastern Seas, (1618 – 1723), A Lurid Page of History, edited by Lieut.-General Sir George MacMunn, Kennikat press, Port Washington, NY/London, 1971, p 316

2 Biddulph, J. (John), The Pirates of Malabar, and an Englishwoman in India Two Hundred Years Ago, Smith, Elder, & Co., 15 Waterloo Place, 1907.

 

 

 

 

The Unknown Survivor, the article

My latest article was just published today. You can read it here:


http://www.cindyvallar.com/unknown.html

If you wish, here are some additional sources of information about the "Mysterious Stranger:"

 

Alden, Timothy [Seymour, etc.] A Collection of American Epitaphs and Inscriptions with Occasional Notes (Vol. IV) 1814.

Rogers, Mary Bangs Old Cape Cod: The Land, The Men, The Sea Houghton Mifflin Co., The Riverside Press. Cambridge, 1931.

 

Swift, Charles F. Cape Cod the Right Arm of Massachusetts: A Historical Narrative Yarmouth: Register Publishing Company, 1897.

Richard Lazenby, Part One

The only member of the Cassandra's crew who was detained was a man named Richard Lazenby, who was the carpenter's mate. He was forced to go with the pirates to act as a pilot on the Indian coasts. His captivity started in July of 1720.¹

Lazenby later wrote of his experience with the pirates. One of the first things he noted was that the commander of the Fancy was a man named Jasper Seagar, and that it was the given name of Edward England. He also says that the main reason England sympathized with Macrae was that they were countrymen. It is said that Edward England sailed to the Coast of Africa after being exempted by name from the Act of Grace and was thus forced to leave the Island of Providence after the arrival of Woodes Rogers.

He goes on to talk about the “cruel tortures inflicted on all captured natives; how on the Malabar coast they had friends, especially among the Dutch at Cochis, who bought their plunder, supplied them with provisions, and gave them information of armed ships to be avoided, and rich prizes to be intercepted. Those who wished to retire from the trade were given passages to Europe with their ill-gotten gains, in French ships.”² After witnessing the capture of the Portugese Viceroy, Lazenby said he was put ashore at Bourbon. Eventually he was able to make his way to England.

I have only seen a full text of what Lazneby wrote in Pirates of the Eastern Seas, by Charles Grey:

“The narrative of Lazenby, who was detained by the pirates to act as a pilot on the Indian coasts is a firsthand document of great importance covering, as it does, the whole of the pirate cruise down to the time of the taking of their most important Prize.”¹ The few details that Lazenby omits are supplied by a man named Clement Downing, who apparently was also a captive.

The Narrative of Richard Lazenby, of London, Second mate of the Cassandra, Captain James Macrae, Commander, taken by the Pirates Seagar in the Fancy and Taylor in the Victory at Johanna in the Comoro Islands in July 1720.

“On the morning of the 3^rd September 1720 the Pirates unmoored[sic] and hove short for sailing. Captain Macrae came aboard and interceded for me to be set free, but to no purpose. Soon after they got under sail designing to proceed to India where they arrived sometime in October. The day before they made the land they saw two ships to the eastward which they took to be English. Whereupon the Captain called me to him and told me he would cut me in pieces if I did not immediately tell him the private signals agreed upon between us and our consorts from England. I made him answer that I knew of none where upon he abused me, calling me scurrilous names shook his broadsword at me, and said he would plague me like the dog I was, unless I told him.

“They came up with the ships which proved to be two small Moors ships from Muscat with horses which they took by firing a gun or two. They brought aboard their captain and merchant and put them to torture to confess their money. They continued all night rifling and tormenting the people and in the morning made the land, and at the same time saw a fleet in shore plying to the north. Instantly they held a council what to do with the beforementioned ships. Some were for sinking them, horses and all and others for only throwing their sails overboard, and all for fear of being discovered on the Coast. After their debates were over, they brought the ships to an anchor in 35 fathoms, throwed all their sails overboard and cut half way through the masts.

“When at anchor one of the beforementioned fleet bore down upon them and hoisted English colours to which the Pirates replied with Red. The rest of the day they employed in taking all the water from the Moors ships, and at night weighed with the sea wind, and left the two Moors ships, they standing to the northward after the fleet with which they came up about four the next morning just as they got under sail with the land wind. They madeno stop but ran right through them firing their small arms and both broadsides as fast as they could load and fire until daylight having all the time taken them for Angrias Fellt (Malabar native Pirates). When they discovered their mistake, they were in great consternation not knowing what to do, whether to run from them or pursue, they being so much inferior in strength, having no more than 300 men in both ships, and 40 of them negroes.

“The Victory had four pumps going and must have sunk but for the pumps they got from the Cassandra. In the end, observing the indifferency of the fleet they took courage to chase, rather rather than run which they accordingly id when the sea breeze came in, but keeping to leeward about a gunshot, some ahead, and some astern of the Company ships, which took them for fireships. About sunset the great ships commenced to gain upon them and kept this same course all night. The smaller ships of the Company;s fleets cut away all their (towing) boats and thus gaining on the Pirates were out of sight saving only some gallivats and a small ketch.

“The Pirates bore down on the ketch, which perceiving their intent embarked all their people on a gallivat, and set fire to the ketch. The gallivat being too nimble for them the Pirates left off the chase. About an hour after, they sighted another gallivat to the northward which they chased and took, finding her to be laden with cotton in bales bound for Calicut. The Pirates questioned the men concerning the fleet they had seen, but they denying they had seen either ship or boat since they left Gogo they threw all the cargo overboard, and squeezed their joints in a vice to extort confession. The next day the Pirates put the poor creatures in a bost with nothing but a trysail and four gallons of water half of it salt and they out of sight of land.”¹

“Downing's account of the Company's fleet was one specially fitted out for an expedition to Anjengo where some trouble had occurred, and then to go in quest of the Pirates who were reported to be on the coast.' (The encounter reflects very little to the credit of the Company's captains, who seem to have been thoroughly scared of Pirates at any time.)

“The London with the Victory grab, the Britannia, the Revenge, the Defiance and the Prahm, a might big floating battery which the Revenge had in tow, having been and settled the Company's affairs at Anjengo were returning up the coast about seven leagues to the North of Tellicherry, and [lying to windward, early in the morning fell in with the Cassandra and the Victory Pirates. The night before the fleet had become very scattered and early in the morning when they saw these two ships, they took the large one for the London. The Victory grab coming under the stern of the Victory Pirate she hailed and asked what ship that was; the Pirates answered the Victory which the others took to be the word London, and huzzaed. Then the Pirate hailed the Victory grab and asked who she was and being answered the Victory, knew they had gotten into the midst of the Bombay Fleet.

            “The Pirates afterwards reported that at this time they could have been taken with all the ease imaginable by all these ships surrounding them. In the meantime up comes the London and asks what was the matter, on which the Victory Pirate discharged a broadside at the other Victory which never even returned her fire, and at the same time the other Pirate called out that she was the Cassandra. There was such confusion aboard the London that all the ship was in an uproar and Captain Upton frighted very much. By this time it was sun rising with little winds and all heaped together under the shore where they were all obliged to lie until the land breeze came off and separated them. In the meantime the Pirates got all ready to engage. But Captain Upton being resolved not to fight without Mr. Brown's (the civil officer in charge) orders, held his fire.

“He also required security for all such damage as the ship might sustain. The ships company, and Mr. Lyon, the chief mate, were all very eager to fight and half mad to see such ridiculous proceedings. The Captain ordered a man to the mast head to strike the flag, but not liking the order the man swore he would send down staff and all. Accordingly he went up and drove the fid out which let the flag staff run down amain. This made the Pirates laugh in heir sleeves, though, not liking the looks of the Bombay men-of-war, they would not engage and so sheered off.”¹

 

Just one more from the vignettes

                She had spent the afternoon with Andre and another sailor, being escorted about the port to do some shopping and in general to enjoy some rare time away from the ship.

                But the light was fading, evening coming on, and time for her to be back on board the ship, and safety.

                They stopped off at one of the wharf-side taverns, where they found Andre holding court with two other captains and the bulk of the crews of their ship and two others. There was no question that she would put in an appearance before being taken back to the ship. Andre would never have condoned it.

                When they reached Willie’s table, he had a tankard in his hand which he immediately set down on the table as he stood up to greet her.

                “Ah!” he exclaimed as she came up to him, encircling her in his arms.

                His embrace was warm and firm, allowing her no chance to exit. His kiss was hot and tasted of rum. He kissed her deeply and unabashedly before the entire tavern, oblivious to the catcalls of the sailors. She was his woman, and he knew how necessary it was to make this emphatic claim of ownership over her. It was impossible for her to go ashore in any port without sailors following her, hoping to lure her away from him.

                She didn’t dare to appear less than thrilled with his embrace or his affection in front of the entire tavern. For her to less than pleased with his attention would be a severe loss of status for him, and he would never forgive her. Willie was prestigious, and she had many privileges compared to most women she knew, but that all came with a price. If she lost her position as his woman, she would be left off God knew where to fend for herself. Andre would never tolerate her taking up with another member of the crew.

                So of course she surrendered herself to his embrace, giving him the appearance of manliness in front of everyone.

                In a moment, he was releasing her, and sighing with satisfaction. He brushed her hair back from her face with his right hand, still embracing her close with his left. His eyes on her were penetrating, looking for signs of discontentment. Seeing none, he kissed her again briefly.

                “Did you find everything you need?” He asked her quietly, now wrapping both arms around her. She let herself be drawn tight against him. She looked into his eyes.

                “Yes,” she said, Andre made sure we found the right shops and we got the best prices.” She nodded her head at her packages.   

                Willie laughed lightly, as always enjoying her womanly “silliness” of enjoying shopping.

                “Good,” he said, and embraced her again. After another kiss, he spoke again, “But this is not the place for Captain Willie’s woman. These men have been drinking and gaming and will soon become violent. Let Andre take you back to the ship. You’ll be safe there.”

                “All right my love,” she replied, and they kissed once more before he released her and she turned to follow Andre obediently back to the ship.