APPENDIX
TO THE
First VOLUME.

We have already touched upon the History of some of the Pyrates, which we shall have Occasion to name here over again; but since the printing our first Volume, the following Relations are fallen into our Hands, which being much more curious and particular than any Thing hitherto made publick upon these Affairs, we are satisfied our Readers will find their Entertainment in the Perusal of it.

About the 20th of July 1718, Mr. Woods Rogers, Governor and Vice-Admiral of the Bahama Islands, being sent from England with the King’s Proclamation, and Pardon for all Pyrates who had surrendered by a Time specified in the said Proclamation, arrived at Providence. It was Evening when the Fleet came off the Town of Nassau in the said Island, when Richard Turnley, the Pilot, who was on board the Delicia, did not judge it safe to venture over the Bar that Night, wherefore it was resolved to lie bye till Morning.

In the mean Time there came some Men on board the Fleet from off a little Island, called Harbour Island, adjacent to Providence. The Advice they brought was, that there were near a thousand Pyrates on Shore upon the Island of Providence, waiting for the King’s Pardon, which had been long expected. The principal of their Commanders were Benj. Horneygold, Arthur Davis, Jos. Burgess, Tho. Carter, and they were all in or about the Town of Nassau; that the Fort was extremely out of Repair, there being only one Gun mounted, a nine Pounder, and no Accommodation for Men, but one little Hut or House, which was inhabited by an old Fellow, whom the Pyrates, in Derision, called Governor Sawney.

The Fleet was seen from the Harbour, as well as the Town, so that Captain Charles Vane, who had no Design of surrendring; but, on the contrary, had fitted out his Ship with a Resolution of attempting new Adventures, took the Advantage of the Night to contrive his Escape; and though the Harbour was blocked up, and his Ship drew too much Water to get out by t’other East Passage, he shifted his Hands, and Things of most Value, into a lighter Vessel, and charging all the Guns of the Ship he quitted with Double-Round and Partridge, he set it on Fire, imagining, that some of the Ships, or their Boats, might be sent near him, and he might do some Mischief when it should burn down to them.

Those in the Fleet saw the Light, and heard the Guns, and fancied the Pyrates on Shore were making Bonfires, and firing Guns for Joy that the King’s free Pardon was arrived; and Captain Whitney, Commander of the Rose Man of War, sent his Boat with his Lieutenant on Shore, which was intercepted by Vane, who carried the Crew on Board, and stripped them of some Stores they had in the Boat, he kept them till he got under Sail, which was till Day-break, when there was Light enough for him to see how to steer his Way through the East Passage; which was no sooner done but he hoisted a black Flag, and fired a Gun, and then let the Lieutenant and Boat’s Crew depart and join the Fleet.

The Fleet got safe into the Harbour, and as soon as the Lieutenant arrived on Board, and related what had passed, the Buck Sloop was ordered to chace Vane; she made what Sail she could through the East Passage after him, having a Recruit of Men well armed sent to her from the other Ships; but being heavily laden with rich Goods, Vane had the Heels of her, which the Commadore observing, made a Signal for her to leave off the Chace, and return, which she did accordingly.

They immediately fell to mooring and securing their Ships, which took up the Time till Night: Next Morning the Governor went on Shore, being received at his Landing by the principal People in the Government of the Place, as Thomas Walker, Esq; Chief Justice, and Thomas Taylor, Esq; President of the Council; the Pyrate Captains, Hornygold, Davis, Carter, Burghess, Currant, Clark, with some others, drew up their Crews in two Lines, reaching from the Water-Side to the Fort, the Governor and other Officers marching between them; in the mean Time, they being under Arms, made a running Fire over his Head.

Being arrived at the Fort, his Commission was opened and read, and he was sworn in Governor of the Island, according to Form.