The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-02-02
DOMESTIC
Life Of The Pirates Quite
Different
From Sitting Threats And
SCuttIlng Ships
kansas City Starr

kansas City Starr
Outside OF the spotlight which has
been thrown on the professional activi-
ties Of the old plates of the West In
dies was another interesting piratical
life, their domestic life, which story
and song has slighted.
Pirates were not always Sitting
throats and scuttling ships. Some
times. like the gay freebooters of Pen.
zance, the "indulged In the felicit of
unhounded domesticity."
The home station of most of the
West Indian pirates was at the Island
Of 1ortuga. There they lived under
rude laws established by themselves
and neforced In true republican style.
Tortuga had regularly appointed
government, as one may learn from
the memoirs of John EsQuemeling.
Dutch bond servant, who became
barber surgeon for various pirate
bands. The most noted Governor was
M. de la Place. a renegade Frenchman.
His Major, or Lieutenant Governor,
was Michael de Basco, former soldier
In Flanders and then retired after sew
eral successful piraticaI adventures.
The Governor ruled the island as a
despot. A few simple laws were en-
forced on all pirates. Debt must be
paid. Friends of murdered man
might kill the slayer with impunity.
Winners of fair fights went unpunish-
ed. Traitors wer tortured. After three
years slaves had the privilege OF join
ing a pirate band.
When pirate Captain planned an
adventure he published the news in all
the pirate retreats. Tortuga had Its
own crier A date and gathering place
was named. Also it was specified how
much powder and shot each man must
furnish.
On assembly day the prospective pi
rates trooped to the gathering place
The Captain explained his project fur
ther. Then he inspected the recruits
All who had the required powder aad
shot and were we'll armed he accepted
Tho next thing to do waste procure
ship. Usually the Governor supplied
that. Then the pirate band. now
known as a society. discussed ways
and means of provisioning the ship
The customary method was TO sail IL
small boats to neighboring Spanish
islands and steal enough hogs to pro
vide meat. This was aalted and stored
away. Sometimes "A gentle hearted
Captain would pay the hog owners Q
small sum. Generally, however, the,
took what they wanted and the ranch
or considered his luck good II he c5
capped with his life.
Tho pirates now repaired to thei
stronghold and discussed tn object o
the adventure. The Governor took par
In this, he knowing the most probable
sources Of wealth. having, AZ Nsquam
cling says made diiigent inquire
along that line. In tdc meantime tn
eHipNIlBnt laIttusu Tue Neo1tlo u
be usd, caulkd and departed them an,
fitted the rigging,
The last duty was the signing OF NJ
ticleB. That was the compact whicl
bound the pirates together until tn
adventure should end II was hrst spe
ciiled that all plumber should 10 to
common fund. That would be divide
In equal parts, Each private marine
would get one part, the Captain 81
parts and other officers in proportion
From 10 to l5O pieces OF eight wer
set nfide for the shipwright The ban
bcrsurgeon was given about $50 piece
OF eight az salary and funds to furnis
medicine chest The pirates paid g,
ira for whatever barbr work he did
Another important item was schet
ule OF remunerations for wounds, Tn
following one generally was adopted
LOSS OF right arm. 600 pieces OF eigh
Loss OF left arm. 500 pieces Of eigh
Loss Of right leg. 500 pieces of eigh
Loss OF left leg. 400 pieces OF eight
Loss OF an eye or hnger. 100 piece
of eight.
Lofs OF both eyes. 500 pieces of eigh
This was paid from the common fun
i,before the shares we're declared.