Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/9

 War commiion’d for everal Years past, but three times her Compliment of Men have offer’d themelves in Hours; the Merchants take their Advantage of this, leen their Wages, and thoe few who are in Buines are poorly paid, and but poorly fed; uch Uage breeds Dicontents amongt them, and makes them eager for any Change.

I hall not repeat what I have aid in the Hitory concerning the Privateers of the Wet-Indies, where I have taken Notice they live upon Spoil; and as Cutom is a econd Nature, it is no Wonder that, when an honest Livlyhood is not eaily had, they run into one o like their own; o that it may be aid, that Privateers in Time of War are a Nurery for Pyrates against a Peace.

Now we have accounted for their Rie and Beginning, it will be natural to enquire why they are not taken and detroy’d, before they come to any Head, eeing that they are eldom les than twelve Men of War tationed in our American Plantations, even in Time of Peace; a Force ufficient to contend with a powerful Enemy. This Enquiry, perhaps, will not turn much to the Honour of thoe concern’d in that Service; however, I hope I may be excus’d, if what I hint is with a Deign of erving the Publick.

I ay, ’tis trange that a few Pyrates hould ravage the Seas for Years, without ever being light upon, by any of our Ships of War; when in the mean Time, they (the Pyrates) hall take Fleets of Ships; it looks as if one was much more diligent in their Affairs, than the other. Roberts and his Crew, alone, took Sail, before he was detroy’d.

This Matter, I may probably et right another Time, and only oberve for the preent, that the Pyrates at Sea, have the ame Sagacity with Robbers at Land; as the latter undertand what Roads are most frequented, and where it is most likely to meet with Booty, o the former know what Latitude to lie in, in order to intercept Ships; and as the Pyrates happen to be in want of Proviions, Stores, or any particular Lading, they cruie accordingly for uch Ships, and are morally certain of meeting with them; and by the ame Reaon, if the Men of War cruie in thoe Latitudes, Rh