Sastrugi Press Classics

Charles Johnson, Daniel Defoe

• Publisher: Sastrugi Press Classics
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781649222114
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

Read the classic that started the pirate genre.

The definitive edition

• Features an uplifting extended biography of the life and experiences of Daniel Defoe
• Remastered for premium quality print and easy reading

A General History of the Pyrates is a book published by Captain Charles Johnson (likely a pseudonym) that contains the biographies and life stories of several famous pirates. This book soon became popular and gave birth to the genre of pirate fiction by inspiring numerous stories such as Treasure Island, Captain Blood, and Peter Pan.

"Nor is this all, he has been guilty of worse villainy than this..."

This book contains vivid storytelling and stories about the lives of numerous famous pirates, and it recalls their adventures in masterful detail. It was also the origin of many of the clichés that are well known and loved in today's pirate folklore, such as pirates missing eyes and wearing eyepatches, pirates with stump legs or hooks for hands, and buried pirate treasure. The classic pirate flag (the Jolly Rogers) featuring skull and bones also comes from this book.

If you love pirates and all the charm that surrounds them, this book is a must-have. It is the very book that started a lot of pirate myths!

Get your copy of this timeless classic today!

CHAP. IX.

OF

Captain Bartho. Roberts,
And his CREW.

BArtholomew Roberts sailed in an honest Employ, from London aboard of the Princess, Captain Plumb Commander, of which Ship he was second Mate: He left England, November 1719, and arrived at Guiney about February following, and being at Anamaboe, taking in Slaves for the West-Indies, was taken in the said Ship by Captain Howel Davis, as mentioned in the preceeding Chapter. In the beginning he was very averse to this sort of Life, and would certainly have escaped from them, had a fair Opportunity presented it self; yet afterwards he changed his Principles, as many besides him have done upon another Element, and perhaps for the same Reason too, viz. Preferment,—and what he did not like as a private Man he could reconcile to his Conscience as a Commander.

Davis being cut off in the manner beforementioned, the Company found themselves under a Necessity of filling up his Post, for which there appear’d two or three Candidates among the select Part of them, that were distinguish’d by the Title of Lords, such were Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis, &c. and on canvassing this Matter, how shatter’d and weak a Condition their Government must be without a Head, since Davis had been remov’d, in the manner beforemention’d, my Lord Dennis propos’d, its said, over a Bowl to this Purpose.

That it was not of any great Signification who was dignify’d with Title; for really and in Truth, all good Governments had (like theirs) the supream Power lodged with the Community, who might doubtless depute and revoke as suited Interest or Humour. We are the Original of this Claim (says he) and should a Captain be so sawcy as to exceed Prescription at any time, why down with Him! it will be a Caution after he is dead to his Successors, of what fatal Consequence any sort of assuming may be. However, it is my Advice, that, while we are sober, we pitch upon a Man of Courage, and skill’d in Navigation, one, who by his Council and Bravery seems best able to defend this Commonwealth, and ward us from the Dangers and Tempests of an instable Element, and the fatal Consequences of Anarchy; and such a one I take Roberts to be. A Fellow! I think, in all Respects, worthy your Esteem and Favour.

This Speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord Sympson, who had secret Expectations himself, but on this Disappointment, grew sullen, and left them, swearing, he did not care who they chose Captain, so it was not a Papist, for against them he had conceiv’d an irreconcileable Hatred, for that his Father had been a Sufferer in Monmouth’s Rebellion.

Roberts was accordingly elected, tho’ he had not been above six Weeks among them, the Choice was confirm’d both by the Lords and Commoners, and he accepted of the Honour, saying, That since he had dipp’d his Hands in muddy Water, and must be a Pyrate, it was bet...

Table of contents

• Publishing Note
• THE PREFACE.
• THE CONTENTS
• THE HISTORY OF THE PYRATES.
• CHAP. I.
• CHAP. II.
• CHAP. IV.
• CHAP. V.
• CHAP. VI.
• CHAP. VII.
• CHAP. VIII.
• CHAP. IX.
• CHAP. X.
• CHAP. XI.
• CHAP. XII.
• CHAP. XIII.
• CHAP. XIV.
• CHAP. XV.
• CHAP. XVI.
• Biography of Daniel Defoe
• Other Books by Sastrugi Press