The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-05-20
OAD SEA R0VERS.

VDD > va NOV LhSs
Madagascar and Providence were the
last great halnis OF the pirates. Up 10
the time of the kings rroclamatinn, in
1717 giving the rnvrrs Of the West
Indies a year in whichto surrender and
receive pardon, the priva'pers, who,
since the peace of Utrecht, had become
legally as well as actually pirates, made
Il e island of Providence their head
quarters. The numerous kcys or islnts
of the Gulf of Mexico afforded them
ample accommodation for screening
their ships, and hiding out Of the way
of cruisers; while the situation was
favorable for salying out and infesting
the course of merchant ships trading
between Europe and America. Not
content, however, with picking up mer
chantmen, they occasionally venturcd
on enterprises worthy of their uredeceS.
sOrs the buccaneers. In 17l6 one Of
these ventures was crowned with COM
plete success. About two years earlier
the Spanish galleons or plate fleet had
been cast away in the Gulf Of Florida,
and several vessels from the Havanas
were at work with diving engines, to
fish mp the silver on board the galleons.
The Spaniards had recovered some mil
lions Of pieces of eight, which they had
carried to Havana; but they had then
about three hundred and fifty thousand
pieces of eight, in silver, on the spot,
and were daily taking up uSre Cap
tain Jennings fitted out tw'8 ships and
three slOops, at Jamaica. Barbadoas,
&c. ant found the Spaniards at work
on the wreck; the money being deposit
! ed in store house on shore, under the
| guard Of two cOmmiIsaries and about
sixty soldier, The rover came direct
| ly upon the place, brought their little
! fleet IT, rn anchor, and landing about
three hundred men, drove OIL The guard,
| seized the treasure, aud carried it IT,
Jamaica; picking up a rich Spanish ship
| Ivy the way, with sixty thousand pieces
OF eight and valuable cargo This
was done in time of full peace, but the
government of Jamaica, on complaint
being made to them, made an uproar,
of which the issue was that the pirates
were allowed to escape with their booty.
and to make their peace on the appear
ance of the kings proclamation, in the
following year.
1t does not appear that Jennings re-
lapsed in to his old trade, but the great
majority of the rOyers Gnquestionally
did so. Among these were the famous
or Infamous Teach (alas Blackbeard),
Edward Elgldnd, Charlas Nane, and
several Of the most celebrated rovrrS Of
the time. The career Of Blackboard, as
narrated by Captain Johnson, throws a
curious light upon the mahner IN which
his majesty colonies were then govern.
ed Teach went into business again at
once, and having "cultivatei very
good understanding" with Chas Eden,
esq the goyPnor of North Carolina
with an excellent prospect of success,
His friend. the governor, made no scrn-
pie Of cOnveuing a court of viCe-admir.
atty at Bath Town, which condemned
his captures as lawful prizes, although
he had never held commission in his
life. "TEese proceedings, adds his
biographer. "show that Governors are
but Men
Blackboard wasa typical pirate pos
sesspd with mania for getting married.
His friend the governor, afte: the man
ner of the plantations, married him TO
his fourteenth wife-a young creature
OF sixteen whom he treated scandal.
ously. 1t is not on record that Black
beard, like Bluebeard, slew his wives.
On the contrary, he had, at the period
referred to about dozen living in vaIi
Gus places. Obviously he was man of
domestic instincts modified by rowing
life, and liked to have somebody to wei
come him home wherever he was. His
cognomen of Blackboard was derived
from 18th 1t large quantity of hair which,
like frightful meteor, covered his
whole face, and frightened America
more than any comet that has appear.
ed there for long time. The beard
was black, which he suffered to grow
of an eXtravagait length; rs to breadth,
it came up to his eyes; lie was accus
toned to twist it with ribbons in small
tails after the manner of our Families
wigs and turn them about his eap; in
time of action he wore sling over his
shoulders. with three brace OF pistols. -
This was the regular pirate fashion
aud its use is obvious" Ia boarding
: the pistol was the faVorite weapon oi
the Tovers, who always wore two OF
three brace in a silk sling, hung rather
! round the neck than over the shoulders
) Armed thus, the freebooter was nearly
; as well off as II he had possessed re-
volver, lie had only TO cock aud hre
drop one pistol and seize another ready
to his hand, without tho risk OF losinl
J his weapons. This reliance on the plS
! tolls was douAllRsS one reason OF tli