The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down

by Colin Woodard

  [>] Walker's background: CO5/1265, No. 17: Thomas Walker to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Nassau: 14 March 1715; Craton, p. 91.

  [>] Walker's letters: CO5/1265, No. 161: Thomas Walker to Colonel Nicholson, New Providence: 14 March 1715; CO5/1265, No. 17: Thomas Walker to the Proprietors of the Bahamas, New Providence: 14 March 1715; Bruce T McCully, "Nicholson, Francis," in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, CD-ROM, Toronto: University of Toronto, 2000.

  [>] Bermuda governor's letter and mariners: Pulleine to the Council of Trade, 22 April 1714, p. 334.

  [>] Walker's capture of Stillwell et al. (January 1715): Johnathan Chace's Receipt, CO5/1265, No. 171: Thomas Walker to Archibald Hamilton, 21 January 1715.

  [>] Warning of a Spanish attack: CO5/1265, No. 17v: George Hearne to Thomas Walker, Harbour Island, Bahamas: 20 January 1715.

  [>] Walker's mission to Havana: CO5/1265, No. 17iii: Marquis de Cassa Torres to Thomas Walker, Havana: 15 February 1715.

  [>]–101 Stillwell rescued by Hornigold: Deposition of John Vickers, p. 141.

  [>] Archibald Hamilton's family: Sir James Balfour Paul, The Scots Perage, Vol. IV, Edinburgh: David Douglas (1907), pp. 380–385; Kinkor (2003), pp. 342–343.

  [>] Hamilton's Jacobite activities while in office: Samuel Page to Sir Gilbert Heathcote, London: 8 May 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 158viii, pp. 82–83; "Representation of the Assembly of Jamaica to the King," Jamaica: Early 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 158xi(a), pp. 83–87; An account of the mal-administration in Jamaica during the Government of Lord Hamilton, Jamaica: early 1716, CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 158xii, pp. 88–90.

  [>] Hamilton's later defense: Hamilton (1718), pp. 44–48.

  [>] Details of Barsheba: CO137/12, folio 16ii: A list of vessels commissioner by Governor Lord A. Hamilton, c. May 1716.

  [>] Jennings worth £400 a year: Hamilton (1718), p. 59.

  [>] Hamilton owns shares in Barsheba: Hamilton (1718), pp. 62–63, 68.

  103 Combined treasure fleet of 1715: Wagner, pp. 55–73; up-to-date information on the names, fate, and identity of particular ships can be found on www.1715fleet.com. The storm is described in Don Miguel de Lima y Melo to Duque de Linares, Havana: 19 October 1715 (Gregorian), in SAT, pp. 32–34.

  [>] Ubilla the ultimate commander: Marion Clayton Link, The Spanish Camp Site and the 1715 Plate Wreck Fleet, 2nd corrected draft, unpublished manuscript, c. 1970, p. 2.

  [>] Treasure worth 7 million pesos: Walton, p. 160. Documentary research by Jack Haskins and other sailors suggests 6, 486,066 pesos, in SAT, p. 94.

  [>] Survivors' actions: Link (c. 1970), pp. 4–6; Wagner (1966), pp. 60–73.

  [>] News-Letter report of fleet disaster: The actual editions—from the summer of 1715— have been lost, but offhanded references to the wrecks in later issues make it clear that it had been reported on.

  [>] Thomas Paine and wrecking: Clifford (2002), pp. 108–118, 262–264.

  [>] Early reports of wrecks in Jamaica: Hamilton (1718), p. 49.

  [>] Belcher on wrecking fever in Jamaica: ADM 1/1471, f24: P. Balcher (Captain) to the Admiralty, HMS Diamond at the Nore, England: 13 May 1716.

  [>] Hamilton approaches navy officers: Deposition of Samuel Page, Jamaica: 15 May 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 158v, pp. 80–81.

  [>] Hamilton buys shares of privateers: Deposition of Walter Adlington, Jamaica: 15 May 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 158vi, p. 81; Extract of a Letter from Don Juan Francisco de Valle to the Marquis de Montelon, Jamaica: 18 March 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 1581, pp. 78–79.

  [>] Hamilton's commissions: "Instructions for Captain Jonathan Barnet," St. Jago de la Vega, Jamaica: 24 November 1715, published as Appendix II in Hamilton (1718), pp. 72–73.

  [>] Hamilton's directions to send them to the wrecks: Before leaving Jamaica, the privateering masters spoke openly about their true design being the wrecks and, given Hamilton's past and future actions, it's clear that he was involved in directing them toward such a mission. See ADM 1/1471 f24, Balcher letter.

  [>] Fourteen divers with Jennings: Testimony of Pedro de la Vega, Havana: 13 January 1716, in SAT, pp. 112–115.

  [>] Sloop Eagle: Jennings's consort is sometimes misidentified as being commanded by Edward James, who was in fact a part owner of the vessel (see ADM1/1471, f24, Balcher letter). The Eagle, commanded by Willis, is positively identified as Jennings's consort in the notes to the list of vessels commissioned by Hamilton (CO137/12, No. 16ii).

  [>]–108 Jennings's movements in December: Marquis de Cassa Torres to Archibald Hamilton, Havana: 3 January 1716, as translated in Kinkor (2003), pp. 19–20. The original is in CO137/12, No. 9.

  [>] Capture of San Nicolas de Vari y San Joseph: Testimony of Pedro de la Vega, pp. 112–115; Deposition of Joseph Lorrain, Jamaica: 21 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, ff. 110–111 in Kinkor (2003), p. 67.

  [>] Relative location of the wrecks: The Regla (Cabin Wreck), Roman (Corrigan's), Carmen (Rio Mar), and Nieves (Douglas Beach) wrecks are mapped out in Jim Sinclair et al., Florida East Coast Shipwreck Project 2001 Season Report, Sebastian, FL: Mel Fisher Center, 2002,pp. 61–69.The Urca de Lima wreck is two miles north of the Nieves, often referred to as the Wedge Wreck.

  [>] Palmar de Ayz an Indian palm grove: Link (c. 1970), p. 5.

  109 Salmon at Palmar de Ayz: Francisco Salmon to the king of Spain, Palmar de Ayz: 20 September 1715, in SAT, pp. 6–7; Don Joseph Clemente Fernandez letter, Palmar de Ayz: 10 September 1715, a "Vatican document" translated in SAT, pp. 112–113; Marquis de Cassa Torres to Viceroy Linares of Mexico, Havana: 12 October 1715 (Gregorian) in SAT, pp. 31–32; Miguel de Lima y Melo to Duque de Linares, 19 October 1715, pp. 33–35.

  [>]–110 Diving technology, work of divers: Kris E. Lane, Pillaging the Empire: Piracy in the Americas 1500–1700, Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 2001, pp. 161–163; Link (c. 1970), p. 7; Wagner, pp. 63–65. The use of "diving engines" or bells is confirmed in GHP, p. 35.

  [>] Quantity of treasure salvaged: Wagner, p. 66, to whose estimate should be added that sent out in the Maricaybo: Declaration of Antonio Peralta, Havana: [1716?], translated in SAT, pp. 115–116. Further details in Letter of Captain Don Francisco de Soto Sanchez, Havana: 29 October 1715 translated in SAT, pp. 102–103.

  [>] About 350,000 pieces of eight on site: GHP, p. 36.

  [>] Jennings's raid on the Spanish Camp: "Extract of a letter from Don Juan Francisco del Valle to the Marquis de Monteleon," Jamaica: March 18, 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, item No. 158i, pp. 78–79; Testimony of Pedro de la Vega, pp. 113–114; Declaration of Antonio Peralta, pp. 115–116; Link, p. 8; Deposition of Joseph Lorrain, pp. 67–68.

  [>] Vane's presence in the attack: GHP, p. 135.

  [>] Torture of Spanish prisoners: Representation of Merchants against Governor Lord A. Hamilton, Jamaica: c. May 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 158viii, p. 82.

  [>] Flying Gang rejects Treaty of Utrecht, will spare Dutch and English: "New York Dispatch," Boston News-Letter, 28 May 1716, p. 2.

  [>] Hornigold's actions in November 1715: Deposition of John Vickers, pp. 140–141; CO5/1265, No. 52i: Deposition of Thomas Walker Jr., Charlestown, SC: 6 August 1716; CO5/1265, No. 52: Thomas Walker to the Council of Trade, Charlestown, SC: August 1716.

  [>] Jennings goes to Nassau from wrecks: Deposition of Joseph Lorrain, Jamaica: 21 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, ff. 110–111 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 67–68.

  CHAPTER FIVE: A PIRATE'S LIFE

  [>] Queen's Square house transferred: Little, pp. 169–170.

  [>] Allegation of £3 million: Little, p. 168.

  [>] Creagh frees impressed men: Jones, p. 19.

  [>] Creagh v. Rogers: Jones, pp. 19–22. Boxes of the original trial documents have survived and can be found in the British National Archives, C104/160.

  [>] Birth, death of Woodes Rogers IV: Powell, p. 103.

  [>] Size of Deticia: CO23/1, No. 31: "Memorial from the Copartners for Carrying on a Trade and Settling the Bahamas Islands," London: 19 May 1721. C
O5/1265, No. 76ii: Woodes Rogers proposal to the Proprietors of the Bahamas, 1717.

  [>]–118 Old East India House: John Rocque, London, Westminster, Southwark, First Edition, Map, 1746, Sheet E2, Section 3; "A View of the Old East India House," Engraving, 1784, British Library, shelf mark P2167; A Tour Thro' the Whole Island..., pp. 132–149.

  [>] Rogers's arrival in Madagascar: Manwaring, p. 124; Little, 172. Both accounts draw on documents in the Archives Department, Houses of Parliament, Cape Town, South Africa.

  119 Experiences with Madagascar pirates: GHP, pp. 58–62. A careful reading of GHP makes clear that the author must have known Rogers and interviewed him in detail for the preparation of his book. The facts he presents in relation to Madagascar fit perfectly with other documentary evidence, especially Rogers's immediate interest in acquiring slaves.

  [>] Relative cost of Malagasy slaves: Virginia Bever Platt,"The East India Company and the Madagascar Slave Trade," William & Mary Quarterly, 3rd series, Vol. 26, No. 4 (October 1969), p. 549.

  [>] Dutch ship Schoonouwen: Manwaring, p. 124.

  [>] Pirates abortive plan to seize D elicia: GHP, p. 62.

  [>] Madagascar pirates petition Queen Anne: Little, p. 172; Manwaring, p. 124.

  [>]–121 Conditions on slave ships circa 1700: Malcom Cowley and Daniel P. Mannix, "The Middle Passage" in David Northup (ed.), The Atlantic Slave Trade, Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath & Co., 1994, p. 103; Wilem Bosman, "Trading on the Slave Coast, 1700," in Ibid., pp. 71–75; Captive Passage: The Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Making of the Americas, Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2002, pp. 77–87.

  [>] Sumatra leg of Rogers' voyage: Little, p. 172.

  [>] Jennings in Nassau, dividing loot: Deposition of Joseph Lorrain, Jamaica: 21 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, ff. 110–111 in Kinkor (2003), p. 68.

  [>] Jennings takes Hornigold's sloop: Deposition of John Vickers, p. 140.

  [>] Casa de Torres's advanced warning: Marquis de Cassa Torres to Archibald Hamilton, Havana: 3 January 1716, translated in Kinkor (2003), p. 19–20.

  [>] Cubans follow Jennings to Jamaica: Alexandre O. Exquemelin, The History of the Bucaniers of America, Vol. I, 5th ed., London: T. Evans, 1771, p. 6.

  [>] News of the 1715 uprising: Boston News-Letter, 25 December 1716, pp. 1–2; "Edinburgh Dispatches of September 21 and September 23," Boston News-Letter, 23 January 1716, p. 1.

  [>] Treasure brought ashore by Jennings at Jamaica: Deposition of Joseph Lorrain, Jamaica: 21 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, ff. 110–111 in Kinkor (2003), p. 68.

  [>] Hamilton's quote regarding treasure: Hamilton (1718), p. 62; CO137/12 No. 16ii: List of Vessels Commissioned by Governor Lord A. Hamilton, Jamaica: c. 15 May 1716.

  [>] Hamilton signs Jennings's departure papers (laissez-passe): Hamilton (1718), pp. 57–58.

  [>] Jennings's departure, consorts, crew for March cruise: Deposition of Samuel Liddell, Jamaica: 7 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, folios 49–50 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 56–57; Deposition of Allen Bernard, Jamaica: 10 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, folios 63–68 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 58–62.

  [>] Carnegie's sloop named Discovery: This confirmed in A Proclomation Concerning Pyrates, Jamaica: 30 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, folios 153–155 in Kinkor (2003), p. 70.

  [>] English at Palmar de Ayz (Jan. 1716): Captain Ayala Escobar to Governor Torres y Ayala, Palmar de Ayz, Florida: 4 February 1716 translated in SAT, pp. 56, 69.

  [>] Amount taken by wreckers in that period: Escobar to Cassa Torres, Palmar de Ayz, Florida: 9 February 1716, translated in SAT, pp. 56, 69.

  [>] Dispersed by Spanish in Feb 1716: Ibid., p. 69.

  [>] Baymen: Emory King, The Great Story of Belize, Vol. I, Belize City, Belize: Tropical Books, 1999, pp. 6–8; "Rhode Island Dispatch, September 16," Boston News-Letter, 12 September 1715, p. 2; "New York Dispatch, October 3," Boston News-Letter, 3 October 1715, p. 2.

  [>] "A Sailor": Deposition of Allen Bernard.

  [>] Capture of Cornelison's ship: TEP, pp. 1, 24.

  125 Capture of Young's ship: Deposition of Allen Bernard;CO137/12,No. 4111: Deposition of Joseph Eeels, Port Royal, Jamaica: 3 December 1716.

  [>] Bellamy and Williams flee Young's ship: Deposition of Allen Bernard.

  [>] Jennings at Bahía Honda: Deposition of Allen Bernard; Deposition of Joseph Eeels; Deposition of Samuel Liddell.

  [>] Details of the St. Marie: CO137/12, No. 21ii: Le Comte de Blenac (Governor of Hispaniola) to Archibald Hamilton, Leogane, Haiti: 18 July 1716; Memorial of Monsr. Moret, Jamaica: c. August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, folio 17–23 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 48–50.

  [>] Bellamy and Williams arrive at Bahía Honda: Deposition of Joseph Eeels; Deposition of John Cockrane, Jamaica: 10 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, folio 68–69 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 62–63.

  [>] Bellamy and Williams naked: Deposition of Allen Bernard, p. 59.

  [>] Account of the attack on St. Marie: Ibid., p. 60; Deposition of Samuel Liddell.

  [>] St. Marie worth 700,000 livres: Comte de Blenac to Hamilton, 18 July 1716.

  [>] D'Escoubet's letter: "Extract of a Letter of Captain D'Escoubet to Lord Hamilton," Bay Honda, Cuba: c. 4 April 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes folios 17–23 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 50–51.

  [>] Conditions in Nassau in winter, 1716: Deposition of John Vickers, pp. 140–141.

  [>] Fernandez's raids on wrecks, time in Nassau: Deposition of Bartolome Carpenter, Havava?: 24 June 1716, translated in SAT, pp. 117–119; Deposition of John Vickers, p. 141.

  [>]–132 Authority, elections, sharing of plunder on pirate ships: Rediker (2004), pp. 61–71.

  [>] Marianne described: Comte de Blenac to Hamilton, 18 July 1716.

  [>]–133 Bellamy and Williams rob the St. Marie: Deposition of Joseph Eeels; Deposition of Allen Bernard.

  [>] Jennings burns sloop, "cut to pieces" periagua: Deposition of Joseph Eeels.

  [>] Bellamy and Williams join Hornigold: TEP, p. 24.

  [>] Capture of the English logwood ship: Ibid., p. 23.

  [>] Capture of Spanish brigantines, careening at Isle of Piños: Ibid.

  [>] Decision to sail Benjamin to Nassau: We know that Bellamy rid himself of the Benjamin between the end of May and the first week of July, when Musson captured her. Reports that appear to date May 1716 place a pirate vessel consistent with the Benjamin in the Bahamas. "New York Dispatch, May 31," Boston News-Letter, 21 May 1716, p. 2.

  [>] Behavior of Jennings, crews at Nassau: Deposition of Allen Bernard; Deposition of Joseph Eeels.

  [>] Ownership of the Dolphin: This is almost certainly the Bahamas-owned sloop of the same name that cleared customs in and out of South Carolina in early May and late July of 1717. CO5/508: South Carolina shipping returns 1716–1717, p. 23.

  [>] Jennings's second raid on the wrecks: "New York Dispatch, May 31," Boston News-Letter, 21 May 1716, p. 2; Deposition of John Cockrane.

  [>] Slaves fleeing to Bahamas: Hugo Prosper Learning, Hidden Americans: Maroons of Virginia and the Carolinas, New York: Garland Publishing, 1995, pp. 128–129; Frank Sherry, Raiders and Rebels: The Golden Age of Piracy, New York: William Morrow, 1986, pp. 212–213.

  [>] James and Anne Bonny: GHP, pp. 623–624.

  [>]–140 Thomas Barrow's activities: Deposition of John Vickers, p. 141.

  [>] Thompson and Cockram's syndicate, other traders: CO5/508: South Carolina shipping returns 1716–1717, pp. 16, 20, 23; CO142/14: Jamaica shipping returns 1713–1719, p. 70. For a general reference to illicit traders at Nassau see CO5/1265, No. 52: Thomas Walker to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Charlestown, SC: August 1716 (extracts published in CSPCS 1716–1717, item 328, pp. 176–177).

  140 Quote on importance of traders: CO23/1, No. 12i, Mr. Gale to Thomas Pitt, South Carolina: 4 November 1718.

  [>] Jennings's men on island: For example, Captain Forbes, in Alexander Spotswood to Lords of Trade, Virginia: 3 July 1716, in Brock (1882), pp. 170–171.

&nb
sp; [>] Benjamin sold to Perrin: Deposition of Robert Daniell, Charlestown, SC: 14 July 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 267, pp. 149–150.

  [>]–141 Walker on loss of Benjamin: Thomas Walker to Council of Trade, August 1716.

  [>] Walker flees: Ibid.

  [>] Further news on Jacobite rebellion reaches Americas: "News item via Barbados and Rhode Island,"Boston News-Letter, 12 March 1716,p. I;"Whitehall Dispatch, November 16," Boston News-Letter, 12 March 1716, p. i;"New York Dispatch, March 12," Boston News-Letter, 12 March 1716, p. 2; "Whitehall Dispatch, December 10," Boston News-Letter, 30 April 1717, p. I.

  [>]–142 Official complaints against Hamilton: CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 158i–xv, pp. 77–90.

  [>] Diplomatic complaints against Hamilton's privateers: CSPCS 1716–1717, items 158i, iii, pp. 77–90. CO137/12, No. 21ii: Michon to Governor Hamilton, Leogane, Haiti: 18 June 1716; Comte de Blenac to Governor Hamilton, Leogane: 18 June 1716; CO137/12, No. 21iv: Comte de Blanc to Governor Hamilton, Leogane: 25 July 1716; Memorial of Mnsr. Moret.

  [>] Manifest, path of St. Marie: TEP, pp. 18, 23.

  [>] Hamilton's removal: General Heywood to the Council of Trade, Jamaica: 11 August 1716 in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 308, pp. 163–165; Draught of H. M. Commission revoking the Commission of Governor Lord A. Hamilton in CSPCS 1716–1717, No. 159i, p. 91.

  [>] Jennings on the lamb by late August: Archibald Hamilton to the Governor in Council, Jamaica: 24 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, folio 126 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 69–70.

  [>] Royal proclamation against pirates: A Proclamation concerning Pyrates, Jamaica: 30 August 1716, Jamaica Council Minutes, folio 153–155 in Kinkor (2003), pp. 70–71.

  CHAPTER SIX: BRETHREN OF THE COAST

  [>] Members, composition of Bellamy's crew: TEP, pp. 23, 25; CO5/1318, No. 16ii: Information of Andrew Turbett and Robert Gilmore, Williamsburg, Virginia: 17 April 1717; CO137/11, No. 45iii: Deposition of Abijah Savage, Antigua: 30 November 1716.