III
The Dying Speeches of Captain Quelch and his Companions
An Account of the Behaviour and last Dying
SPEECHES
Of the Six Pirates, that were Executed on Charles River, Boston side, on Fryday June 30th. 1704. Viz.
Capt. John Quelch, John Lambert, Christopher Scudamore, John Miller, Erasmus Peterson and Peter Roach.
The Ministers of the Town, had used more than ordinary Endeavours, to Instruct the Prisoners, and bring them to Repentance. There were Sermons Preached in their hearing, Every Day: And Prayers daily made with them. And they were Catechised; and they had many occasional Exhortations. And nothing was left, that could be done for their Good.
On Fryday the 30th. of June 1704. Pursuant to Orders in the Dead Warrant, the aforesaid Pirates were guarded from the Prison in Boston, by Forty Musketeers, Constables of the Town, the Provost Marshal and his Officers, &c. with Two Ministers, who took great pains to prepare them for the last Article of their Lives. Being allowed to walk on Foot through the Town, to Scarlets Wharff; where the Silver Oar being carried before them; they went by Water to the Place of Execution, being Crowded and thronged on all sides with Multitudes of Spectators. The Ministers then Spoke to the Malefactors, to this Effect.
“We have told you often, ye we have told you Weeping, That you have by Sin undone your selves; That you were born Sinners, That you have lived Sinners, That your Sins have been many and mighty; and that the Sins for which you are now to Dy, are of no common aggravation. We have told you, That there is a Saviour for Sinners, and we have shewn you, how to commit your selves into His Saving and Healing Hands. We have told you, That if He Save you, He will give you an hearty Repentance for all your Sins, and we have shown you how to Express that Repentance. We have told you, What Marks of Life, must be desired for your Souls, that you may Safely appear before the Judgment Seat of God. Oh! That the means used for your Good, may by the Grace of God be made Effectual. We can do no more, but leave you in His Merciful Hands!
“When they were gone up upon the Stage, and Silence was Commanded, One of the Ministers Prayed.”...
They then severally Spoke, Viz.