Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period. Various
etc.[14]
[1] Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 17.
[2] Voyage.
[3] The house or cabin on the after-deck.
[4] Assay, attempt.
[5] Likewise.
[6] English.
[7] Plunder.
[8] Passion.
[9] A sailmaker's palm, which serves the purpose of a thimble.
[10] A sword with one edge.
[11] Chart.
[12] Wilson. The name can be supplied from the Records of the Court of Assistants of Massachusetts Bay, I. 12.
[13] A marginal note reads: "Pres[en]t, Govr., Capt. Gookins, Mr. Russell, Mr. Danforth, Mr. Tynge, Mr. Stoughton, Mr. Clarke", all of whom were at this time members of the Court of Assistants. An endorsement reads: "Toolly Examination taken 17:9:73," i.e., November 17, 1673.
[14] John Smith and Edmund Cooke were condemned to death for their share in these acts of piracy, but were pardoned by the General Court, December 10, 1673. Records of Massachusetts Bay, vol. IV., pt. II., p. 573.
39. Examination of William Forrest. October 20, 1673. [1]
Newport one[2] Road Iland.
The Examinatione of William forist, mariner, taken the 20 day 8 mo.[3] 1673. the foresd forist beinge examined acknowlegeth that he was owne of that mutinous Company that Raised Reblion in the ship Called the Sainte Anthony upon the Coaste of portingall, one hundred and tenn leags from Land, and theire with others did deprive John Tarry, Master, of his power given to him leagelly to Gouvern the aforesd shipe: but denies that he had a hand in forsinge him over borde, or those that went with him, but sd he and them might have continued longer in the aforesd shipe: but owned that he with others did deprive him the sd John Tarry the Gouverment and ordring the aforesd shipe, and beinge asked concerning their further prosedings, owned that he with others brought the aforesd shipe called the Sainte Anthony into pascattoga River in new Ingland, where he the sd forrist was then the Reputed master, whoe undertooke to be owne (to witt the Cheefest) that managed and disposed of most or all the aforesd Ships Cargoe, till by some means of fallinge out amonge themselves was discovered, upon which the sd William forrist mad an Escape for a time, till he was apprehended at new plimoth in new Ingland, whence he acknowlegeth he lately Escaped out of his magisties Gale[4] at new plimouth as aforesd, and forther beinge examined, owned (to wit, william forist) that John Tarry and the suprocargoe ware the persons that had Right to Governe, order and dispose of the abovesd Shipe and Cargoe, which hee the aforesd william forrist and Company unjustly Deprived them of. taken before us
Nicholas Easton, Gov'r.[5] William Coddington, D'py Gov'r.
[1] Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 15.
[2] On.
[3] October.
[4] Jail.
[5] Nicholas Easton, governor of Rhode Island from May, 1672, to May, 1674; William Coddington, deputy governor 1673–1674, and afterwards governor.
40. Petition of Allwin Child. October 24, 1673. [1]
To the Hon'rd Governor and Coart of Asistants
The Humble Petition of Allwin Child
Sheweth, That a ship called the St. Anthony was consigned unto your petitioner from Lisbon under the Command of John Tarry, and in his voyage, about one hundred and ten Leagues from Lisbon, the seamen of the sd. ship mutined Against the sd. Commander and turned himself, his supercargo, mate and Boy out of said ship into the Boate to shift for themselves and Ran Away with the shipe, Some of the men so running Away being at present under conviction in this prison, and three others having bin taken at Plimouth in order to bee also Brought to Answare for their misdimeniors before the Authouritey of this Colony, But did theare Breake prison and escaped unto the Government of Road Iland, at which place they are Apprehended, and the said Tarry is Liquise now Arived there for Another ship, consigned allso to your petitioner, and is there detained to prosicute the Above offenders.
Your Petitioner in Behalf of the Imployers humbly craves that your Hon'rs would be pleased to take such Coarse that the said escaped prisoners may bee sent for to this place to Answare these facts According to Law, the Evidence Against them Being partly heard All Ready, and the Comander being also Bound to this place, soe that his stay theare will bee very preduditiall to the voyge of said ship and Imployers, the Ship Requiering A speedy Dispatch. And he shall Pray
[Endorsed:] Allwin Child petition to Gov'r and Mag'ts in Court of Assists. 24 Oct. 1673.[2]
[1] Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 5.
[2] The Court of Assistants, March 7, 1674, fined Major Nicholas Shapleigh 500 pounds for harboring and concealing in his warehouse William Forrest, Alexander Wilson, and John Smith, "capitall offenders," arranging their escape, and receiving and concealing their goods. Records of the Court of Assistants, I. 12–14, where a petition of Alvin Child in the matter is referred to. See also Maine Historical Society, Documentary History, second ser., VI. 38–42.
CASE OF RODRIGUEZ AND RHODES.