Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-25
PIRATES And PRIVATEERS.

Canterbury, Kent county. has been
awarded prize OF $40 by the Colonial
Danes Of the State of Delaware for
the best essay on a colonial subject
relating to the early history OF the
State Of Delaware. the society having
announced that the competition for
the prize would lie among tho pubiic
school childrsn of the Stata The dis
finction which the little fellow has
won has placed him in the foremost
ranks OF the school children of Della
ware, and he is to be commended Tor
his excellent composition on Pirates
and Privatsers," which captured the
prize. IL is meritorious and well writ
ten. The prize was awarded for origi-
nslity. Many of the other contributions
were mainly historical, but some of
them are extremely creditable. Tie
prize essay follows:
Among the many hardships which
our forefathers had to contend with
during the colonial period was the
depredations OF pirates and privateers,
After they had become comfortably
eettled in litte hamlets along tho
coast, their homes were often attacked
by pirates. Often their friends, dis
satisfied with American soil wonld
suddenly disappear from their midst,
and would attack their former friends.
We shall see how the Council dealt
with these fres hooters.
The regulations given by the Council,
or this instructions sent over by Eng
land to suppress these nuiaances has
not received the attention of historians,
but has been used by writer's az the
basis of fabulous tales and adventures
such as are pleasing to juvenile tastes.
In 1868, when Holland and England
were at war, it was Thomas Baxtsr's
plan to pillage the Dutch towns and
take refuge in the English settlements,
which protected him from punishment
or pursuit So many followed his ex.
ample that piracy could bs committed
with absolute impunity. The Dutch
offered their posts for those who had
plundered the English, aud the shores
of Long Island and the East River be-
came 60 infested with these robbers,
that both the English and the Dutch
found 1t to their advantage to take
measures by which to suppress them.
Yachts were kept plying along the
coast for pirates, and affecting a severe
penalty on those who offered protection
for suspicious characters. Being thus
driven from this field of profitable
occupation, they we're forced to find
q new field, and thus we find them
few years later pernetrating their
outrages along the coast of Delaware.
The earliest appearance Of pirates on
the coast of Delaware was about 1856,
but for the first two years they salts
fed themselves with occasional eallies
accompanied by no great damage. In
1857, however. they suddenly became
holder and their hostile exhibitions
were 30 frequent and devastating as to
demand the attention of the govern
ment of England. Dseming it best to
deal with them mildly at first, James
ii. issued an order requiring the
colonial authorities to sheck the abuses
and sent feet to aid them in their
work; but he authorized the pardon OF
any pirates who, having been captured
within IL months of the date of the
Instructions, august 21st, 1877,
should give security to keep peace in
tbs future.
Early in the following year the king
issu- a royal proclamation condemn,
Ing .ae pirates in several terms, and
urging their discrimination. Through
this procla alton the outrages were
almost entirely abolished, still there
was a cause for anxiety, and Gov.
benjamin Fletcher, of Pennsylvania
was given authority to protect the
colonies against the pirates. He re.
commended the erection OF fort near
New Castle on the Delaware River, tc
which the Council readily Rssented.
When vigilance was once relaxed, tbs
pirates again made their appearance.
During the two years following, thu
impudence OF the pirates continued tt
increase. On September afternoon il
nH 10
tremity OF Sussex county small sloop
Although it had been noticed by tn,
inhabitants, they thought it had nj
evil designs upon the village. Earl,
the next morning it suddenly bort
down upon Lewistown, and landed 81
men, we'll armed and equipped fo
sacking the place. They plundered thu
houses, using force to secure an en-
trance, and battering to pieces ever,
chest and box. All the money ant
valuableH of whatever nature wer
carried off. They also killed numbe
Of sheep and hogs, and forced mum
Der of the chief men to help them carr.
their booty on board, and even tool
the village carpenter prisoner. Afte
thus running the people they sailet
out in the bay, and lay at anchor unit
small brig appeared and offered t.
give them chase. The particulars o
this occurrence was reported by tn
prominent citizenH of Lewiatown, anl
on asking for greater protection it wa
found that the sloop had been take
from John Redwood of Philadelphia
by pirate named Canoot, who aban
doned his own vessel for flester one
The Council at once employed th
Lieutenant Governor TO muster sue
forces aH should be required to defen
the coast towns and the people. Severa
convictions of other pirates soon fol
lowed these new prudential measures
One of the most noteworthy was tina
Of David Evans, whose conviction wa
due largely to the efforts of Roher
Snead. On one occasion bis zeal carrie
him so far that he was summoned be
fore the Council for having informe
the English authorities that Penney
vania had become the greatest refug
for pirates in America. and that tn
officers refused to seize them, eve
when an opportunity presented itsell
Although Snead denied having write
such reports, they were not altogethe
unwarrantable. The cases of Robei
Brandingham and William Stanto
will furnish an illustration. Thes
men wers imprisoned in the count
jail of Philadelr hia, under suspicio
Of piracy. and the Governor, o
hearing that they were allowed to
great liberty, demanded an explanation
from the sheriff, who admitted thu
the prisoners we're allowed to stro