Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/25



S the Pyrates in the Wet-Indies have been o formidable and numerous, that they have interrupted the Trade of Europe into thoe Parts; and our Englih Merchants, in particular, have uffered more by their Depredations, than by the united Force of France and Spain, in the late War: We do not doubt but the World will be curious to know the Original and Progres of thee Deperadoes, who were the Terror of the trading Part of the World.

But before we enter upon their particular Hitory, it will not be amis, by way of Introduction, to hew, by ome Examples drawn from Hitory, the great Michief and Danger which threaten Kingdoms and Commonwealths, from the Increae Rh