Nothing presented itself, however, which we considered worth our while, but we were not by any means idle, for we committed several robberies on shore, one of which, a burglary in Washington street, we came very near being detected in, and the circumstances connected with which caused considerable stir. In fact, we found it necessary to leave, which we did.
The Boston officers started in pursuit of us, but we managed to throw them off the scent, and as soon as we were convinced that they were on the wrong track, we made for New York, which we reached in safety. Those circumstances took place about four years ago.
I remained in New York a short time, enjoying myself, and then shipped on board of a schooner, whose name I have forgotten. She was bound to the West Indies for fruit, and I supposed that she had considerable money on board. My only object in going on her was to rob her if I could. My old partner was with me, and we tried by every means to find out how much money was on board, where it was kept, etc., but did not succeed, and no opportunity occurred for us to carry out our plans during the voyage. So we came back on her to New York, and both shipped on board the schooner Sea Witch, a Norfolk oyster boat. As before, our object was murder and robbery. I suspected that she carried out a large sum of money each trip, but did not know how much, until I kept count of the number of oysters bought, and the price paid for them, which made me determine to kill all hands on the next trip, and secure the money as soon as we got out to sea.
But from some cause or other we were mistrusted, and we were discharged on our arrival at Nova Scotia.
I waited some time for a similar chance, but failing in getting shipped on board of anything which promised to pay me, I joined the bark Sea Horse, bound for the coast of Africa, for a cargo of slaves.
During the passage I succeeded in stirring the crew up to mutiny, and after a severe fight we succeeded in overcoming and killing the officers, and took possession of the ship.
We ran the vessel ashore at Congo River, took the money, and joined an English vessel, after dividing our spoils to suit myself and partner, we keeping, of course, the largest share of it.
I almost forget the name of the English ship in which we sailed for London, but think it was the Zacharias. However, we played the same game on board her, that is, we excited a mutiny. The captain, mate, and steward being in the cabin asleep, we entered quietly, and took everything valuable we could lay our hands on, and then, going on deck, fastened down the hatches in such a way that the officers could not make their escape, after which we tied the other two of the crew, and landed in the boat at Havre during the night, from where we took the packet to London.
Here my partner and I separated, and I have not heard what became of him. I hope, if he sees this confession and learns my fate, it will serve as a warning to him, and that he will give up shedding blood and robbery, and lead an honest life.
About this time—that is, some three years ago—I married, and shortly after, came with my wife to New York, on board the ship Isaac Wright, Captain Marshall, who knows me well. On reaching New York, I took some rooms, and lived with my wife in Batavia street. I do not remember the number, but it was a corner house, and stood opposite to No. 17.