Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/332

 The Deponents further ay, that at Sierraleon every Man had more epecially the Means of ecaping; and that this Prioner, in particular, neglected it, and came off from that Place after their Ship was under Sail, and going out of the River.

The Prioner, in his Defence, protets, he was at firt forc’d; and that the Office of Boatwain’s Mate was impoed on him, and what he would have been glad to have relinquih’d. That the barbarous Whipping he had received from the Pyrates at firt, was for telling them, that none who could get their Bread in an honet Way, would be on uch an Account. And he had certainly taken the Opportunity which preented at Sierraleon, of ridding himelf from o ditatful a Life, if there had not been three or four of the old Pyrates on Shore at the ame Time, who, he imagined, mut know of him, and would doubtles have erved him the ame, if not wore, than they ince had done William Williams; who, for uch a Deign, being delivered up by the treacherous Natives, had received two Lahes thro’ the whole Ship’s Company.

The Court oberved, the Excues of thee Pyrates, about want of Means to ecape, was oftentimes as poor and evaive as their Pleas of being forced at firt; for here, at Sierraleon, every Man had his Liberty on Shore, and it was evident, might have kept it, if he, or they, had o pleaed. And uch are further culpable, who having been introduced into the Society, by uch uncivil Methods, as whipping, or beating, neglect les likely Means of regaining Liberty; it hews trong Inclinations to Dihonety, and they tand inexcuably, Guilty.

''Jo. Manfield''.

T was proved againt this Prioner, by Captain Trahern and George Fenn, that he was one of thoe Voluntiers who was at the Attack and Rob-