Indian Antiquary Vol 48

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 224

220
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ DECEMBER, 1919
England and the West Indies, some of the merchants who sent them out hit upon the idea of sending ships to Madagascar with provisions, stores, arms and wine, which they sold to the pirates, who, fresh from their raids, were ready to pay any prioe that might be asked. One of these merchants was Frederick Phillips of New York, who employed as his Agent a retired pirate Adam Baldridge. The latter, haring killed a man in Jamaica, found it convenient to absent himself from home until the recollection of his misdeed had somewhat faded. After an absence of nearly ten years he returned to New York and was persuaded by Lord Bellamont to make the following deposition. Interesting as it is, giving us many dates which, without it, would be difficult to ascertain, it seems a pity that he was not in & position to speak more freely.
It is noticeable that be calls the pirates privateers, a name which they preferred, and in fact, many of the pirate ships sailed under commissions granted them by different Colonial Governors. It was a slight matter that these commissions were intended to serve against the French. If the Captains who held them were too particular, their crews deposed them.
Amongst the articles for sale to pirates, are mentioned both Bibles and Prayer Books. One might imagine that pirates had no use for such things, but it is a fact that a considerable number amongst them were pressed men, or men, often officers, who, having lost their all when their ships were taken by pirates, had in desperation become pirates themselves. At times such men, horrified at the villainous acts to which they found themselves committed, were stricken with remorse and, remembering the teachings of pious parents, were eager for the consolations of religion. One does not know whether to be disgusted at or to admire the business acumen which made Phillips and his like remember to cater for the requirements of these poor wretches.
Deposition of. Captain Adam Baldridge. (1) July 17th 1690.-1 Adam Baldridge arrived at the Island of St. Mary's in the ship Fortune, Richard Conyers Commander, on the 7th of January 1690/91. I left the ship, being minded to settle among the negroes at St. Mary's with two men more, but the ship went to Port Dolphin and was cast away April 15th 1691, and half the men drowned and half saved their lives and got ashore, but I continued with the negroes at St. Mary's and went to war with [i.e., in alliance with] them. Before my going to war, one of the men died that went ashore with me and the other being discouraged, went on board again, and none continued with me but my prentice George King. March the 9th they sailed for Bonnovolo on Madagascar sixteen leagues from St. Mary's, where they stopt to take on rice. After I went to war six men more left the ship, whereof two of them died about three weeks after they went ashore and the rest died since. In May 1691 I returned from war and brought seventy head of cattle and some slaves. Then I had a house built and settled upon St. Mary's, where great stores of negroes resorted to me from the Island Madagasoar and settled the Island St. Mary's, where I lived quietly with them, helping them to redeem their wives and children that were taken, before my coming to St. Mary's, by other pegroes to the north of ns about sixty leagues.
(2) October 13th 1691.- Arrived the Bachelor's Delight, Capt. George Raynor Commander, burden 180 tons or thereabouts, 14 guns, 70 or 80 men, that had made a voyage into the Red Sea and taken a ship belonging to the Moors, as the men did report, where they took as much money as made the whole share of the) men about 1,100 lbs. A man. They