Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/188

 of one of them; the Lading of thee Sloops was of coniderable Value, coniting of European Goods, in order to be exchanged with the French and Spaniards; and many of the Hands on Board of them, were the Pyrates lately come in upon the late Act of Grace. The firt Place they touched at, was the Iland of Martinico, belonging to the French, where Davis having conpired with ome others, rie in the Night, ecured the Mater and eized the Sloop; as oon as this was done, they called to the other Sloop, which lay a little Way from them, among whom they knew there were a great many Hands ripe for Rebellion, and ordered them to come on Board of them; they did o, and the greatet Part of them agreed to join with Davis; thoe who were otherwie inclined, were ent back on Board the Mumvil Sloop, to go where they pleaed, Davis having firt taken out of her, every Thing which he thought might be of Ue.

After this, a Counel of War was called over a large Bowl of Punch, at which it was propoed to chue a Commander; the Election was oon over, for it fell upon Davis by a great Majority of legal Pollers, there was no Scrutiny demanded, for all acquieced in the Choice: As oon as he was poes’d of his Command, he drew up Articles, which were igned and worn to by himelf and the ret, then he made a hort Speech, the um of which, was, a Declaration of War againt the whole World.

After this they conulted about a proper Place where they might clean their Sloop, a light Pair of Heels being of great Ue either to take, or ecape being taken; for this purpoe they made Choice of Coxon Hole, at the Eat End of the Iland of Cuba, a Place where they might ecure themelves from Surprize, the Entrance being o narrow, that one Ship might keep out a hundred.