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

not regard tne prosperity OF tue coiony
SO great as to warrant large cyrendi-
4 ture, and the citizens of New Castle
secured littls redress or satisfaction.
In April, 100. the famous Capt.
Kidd honored thu people Of Delaware
with a brief visit lilo thought that
the spoils gathered from the town
would not pay the cost OF the attack.
idd bad Just returned from the East
Indies, whore he had been successful
in his depredations, and brought bnek
vessel heavily and richly freighted
with the choicest products of the East.
The importation of these goods in the
colonies was prohibited, but George
Thompson ami TOUR others purchased
large quantity OF the plumber. They
were successful in escaping the vigil
lance of the collector OF Lswistown,
and managed to dispose of ther goods
before the information reached the
ears OF tue authorities. AL innkeepers
we're required to giya notice iume'
tliately upon the arrival of u stranger.
Even ferryman on the river was not
allowed to transport a suspicious char
acter, and were forced to pledge them
selves TO abide by this proposition.
For eight years Delaware remained
unmolested, hut their old oppressOrs
increased and prospsred.
In l70S, the troubles were once more
renewed. and tho burden was much
harder to beat. The dangers now to
be guarded against were chiefly from
French privateers, but tbs Dutch,
Spanish and other nations were also
engaged in similar occupations. In
the year just mentioned, three vesselo
were taken by privateer of great
holiness named Castran. They were
Captains Phillips Of Boston, taken on
his way homeward from North Caro-.
lima; Moouy, OF Pennsylvania: and
Young, of London, who was captured
, az he was sailing for the coast of Sus-
sex county. The Castran and six other
privateers spent their Tina in sailing
between Egg Harhor and Sinepuxent,
and navigation between these points
was SO dangerous that it became neces-
sary to appeal to England for assist.
ance. Navigation was. stopped, ard
the bravest sailors would not leave or
approach the coast, and trade was
brought to complete Htandstil. The
unsettled condition of affairs which
existed at the close OF Gov. Evans
term was made worse by projected
war against Canada by the English.
The pirates then we're more frequent ia
, their visits, and 170s-9 records show OF
many attacks on Iiewistown and New
i Castle. PENIS secretary wrote to him
in June, l70S, that the coast had be-
, come "nest of pirates. He said
: that in four days, three vessels had
been burnt and sunk off the capes.
, Three French men-uf. war were sta.
toned at Port Royal, with orders from
!. the King to ply along the coaet. They
had brought over 100 families with
, which to settle culony, and their
o booty, which they had gathered in
q their cruise from the British Colonies
D were used in support OF tho new settle
: ment.
0 Lewistown was again plundered in
9 1903, by 100 men sent on shore by a
8 French privateer. Additional trouble
8 was caused by the Quai:ers refusing ia
r bear arms, even in defence, which
4 caused the inhabitants much dis
i pleasure. A reward was offered to any
Q person who should furnish the Governor
or any magistrate. with information
D leading TO the conviction OF any pirate,
or any person who interfsred with the
8 people in the peaceful pursuit of theil
i affairs. Rewards were also offered fol
d suspicious characters, AMI the Governor
b promised to exert himself to secure the
Q pardon of pirates who would surrender
o themselves, or their accomplices. The
:. proclamation had hardly besn offered,
a when five pirates from the sloop Evil
% liam's Endeavor," appeared before the
y Council, and surrendered themselves.
II also demanded the pardon offered
o by the proclamation. A number o.
|. mariners now appeared before tht
10 Council and asked their protection.
,. They had sailed from Jamaica early il
kh,t s.1 .t.s.. a
% ing wrecks. Death deprived them o
n their captain, and they met with little
+ luck in their expedition. Meeting
,. with another sloop. they listened to it,
Ie captain, one Greeuway, to mutiny. ant
10 placed themselves under his command
" They took Capt Greenway on hoart
re their own sloop. which was the bette
10 of the two, and put their own maste
Or on board the other. Greenway prough
10 his crew with him, when they Informed
D. their new associates that they wer,
" pirates. and made the change to secure
I'd additional men to help them in thei
re robberies. The men thus betrayed
Br were forced to serve their pirut
n master, in spite of all protests. Thi
" lasted several months before thsre wa
'k an opportunity for escape. The slool
Or had attacked an English vessel ant
~ NJIbGhHdg uuI bub Ultl Grew
Ill went on board to secure the booty
to Those of the old crew who remained OF
Of board wure drunk, and it was not al
le easy matter to bind them and set then
I'd adrift in boat. The captiyes hastil
as put out, and although Greenway mad
IN desperate attempt to oyertake them
a, they escaped unframed, and at length
d reached the hospitabe shores of th
9. Delaware, where they put in for refuge
40 Tbs sloop was we'll equipped with now
ID der, shot. guns, pistols, muskets, an,
I'd other materials necessary for the ocsa
al encounters, in which Greenway ha
IL been engaged, and numerous otho
g. articles which they had gathered iron
at their victims. Their munitions of wa
as were sold to the people for protectio
ut against the pirates. Other cases wer
I'D reported and began to excite muc
9. alarm, and it was reported that th
cd famous pirate Teach, also known a
u. Blackboard, was in the vicinity, am
&c the Governor issued warrant for hi
he arrest, but the rumor proved to be un
On true.
IL In 1879, the privateers began 10 max
en- their raids at regular intervals on tn
or coast. The lower counties taking tn
'rt matter in hand the Governor require
on two persons to keep constant waite
SO at Luwistown, and each inhabitant wa
W required to keep himself armed with