By his Privateering he got together some little Money, and returned home, where the Government having no Notice, or, at least, taking none, of his pyratical Practice, in staying beyond the Date of his Commission: He went out Mate of a Ship, in the Service of Frederick Phillips, bound to the Island of Madagascar, to trade with the Pyrates, where they had the Misfortune to lose their Ship, and lived eighteen Months at Augustine, when an English Pyrate coming in, the King of the Country obliged him to go on board her, tho’ much against his Inclination, for he was tired of a roving Life; but their Choice was to go or starve, for the King would keep them no longer.
He went with this free Booter to the East Indies, where they made several rich Prizes; returned to St. Mary’s, where they took in Provisions, Wood, and Water. Several of their Gang knock’d off here; but the Captain, Burgess, and the Remainder, went away for the West Indies, disposed of their Plunder on the Spanish Coast, and then returning to New York, purposely knocked the Ship on the Head at Sandy Hook, after they had secur’d their Money ashore.
The Government not being inform’d of their Pyracy, they lived here without Molestation, and, in a short Time, Burgess married a Relation of Mr. Phillips’, who built a Ship, called the Pembroke, and sent him a second Time to Madagascar. In his Way to this Island, he went into the River of Dilagou on the African Coast, where he took in a Quantity of Elephants Teeth; and thence to Augustine, where he met with several of his old Ship Mates, with whom he traded for Money and Slaves. Leaving this Place he went to Methelage, where he also took some Money and Negroes; and from thence he shaped his Course for St. Mary’s, on the East Side, where he also drove a considerable Trade with his old Comrades, took several of them Passengers, who paid very generously for their Passage; and taking with him an Account of what was proper to bring in another Trip, he return’d to New York, without any sinister Accident: This Voyage clear’d 5,000 l. Ship and Charges paid.
His Owner encouraged by this Success, bid him chuse what Cargoe he pleas’d, and set out again; accordingly he laded with Wine, Beer, &c. and returning to Madagascar arrived at Maratan on the East Side, where he disposed of a great Part of his Cargoe at his own Rates. At Methelage he disposed of the rest, and return’d, clearing for himself and Owner 10,000 l. besides 300 Slaves he brought to New York.
After a short Stay at home, he set out again on the old Voyage, fell in first with Methelage, where he victualled and traded; from thence he went round the South End, touch’d and sold Part of his Cargoe at a large Profit, to his old Acquaintance. He made a trading Voyage round the Island, and at St. Mary’s met another Ship belonging to his Owner, which had Order to follow his Directions; he stay’d at this Port till he had disposed of the Cargoe of both Ships; he then shaped his Course homewards, with about 20 Pyrates Passengers, who had accepted the Pardon brought by Commadore Littleton.
In his Way he touch’d at the Cape of Good Hope, for Wood, Water, and fresh Provision: While he was here, the Loyal Cook, an East India Man came in, who made Prize of Burgess, and carried him to the East Indies; he there would have delivered Burgess’s Ship to the Governor of Maderass, but the Governor would have no Hand in the Affair, and told the Captain, he must answer to the East-India Company and Burgess’s Owner for what he had done.
Most of the Pyrate’s Passengers thought themselves clear’d by the Act of Grace; but some of them, not willing to trust to it, got off with what Gold they could, in a Dutch Boat; they who trusted to the Pardon were clapp’d in Goal, and died in their Irons. I cannot omit the Simplicity of one of them, who had, however, the Wit to get off: When he designed to go away, he look’d for his Comrade for the Key of his Chest, to take his Gold with him, which amounted to Seventeen hundred Pounds; but this Comrade being ashore, he would not break open Chest, for it was Pity, he said, to spoil a good new Lock, so left his Money for the Captain of the East-India Man.
The News of this Capture came to the Owner before the Ship return’d, and he sued the Company; but, at their Request, staid for the Arrival of the Loyal Cook, which brought Burgess Prisoner to England soon after. The Captain finding himself in an Error, and that what he had done could not be justified, absconded; the Company made good the Ship and Cargo to the Owner. Burgess was set at Liberty, continued some Time in London, was impeach’d, and Pyracy sworn against him by Culliford (mentioned in Williams’s Life) who notwithstanding, he came home on the Act of Grace, was clapp’d into Newgate, tried and acquitted, tho’ he was beggar’d.
Burgess’s Owner stickled very hard for him, and expended great Sums of Money to save him; however, tho’ he pleaded the Necessity of his going on board the Pyrate, (as his Life shews it) he was tried and condemn’d; but by the Intercession of the Bishops of London and Canterbury, was pardon’d by the Queen.
After this, he made a broken Voyage to the South Sea, Lieutenant to a Privateer, and returning to London, was out of Business a whole Year.