by Rakashi Chand, Reading Room Supervisor
Today is ‘Talk like a Pirate Day’ which I adore because my kids and I are big fans of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film franchise as well as any pirate-themed movie, restaurant, or minigolf course. But, as a historian, I feel an impulse to find pirate speak in the archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society. There is a robust record of the ‘last and dying words’ of pirates, or pyrates, in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was once known as the ‘Port where Pirates hang,’ so Boston may be the one place where—if you are a pirate—you should perhaps not speak like one, because from what I found in the archives, we cracked down on piracy with the same efficacy as we now order Dunkin’ Donuts coffee.
Let’s look at a few items from the collections that have captured the actual words of convicted pirates—at least we know they are the real deal!
To begin, look at The Last Words of S Tully. Who was executed for piracy, at South Boston, December 10. 1812.
In this broadside, Tully is recorded as saying,
“As a man and criminal now going out of this world, I do think it my duty to acknowledge that I have been guilty of taking, and assisting to take, the property which is mentioned in the first indictment; but the murder, which was charged in the second indictment, I do not see that I am any ways guilty of, although it was plead so hard against me, and I have reason to believe was the means of my being condemned…”
Next, is the 1704 Proclamation by Thomas Povey Esq. Lieutenant Governour, and Commander in Chief, for the time being, of Her Majesties Province of Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.
“WHEREAS John Quelch, late Commander of the Briganteen Charles, and Company to her belonging, Viz. John Lambert, John Miller, John Clifford, John Dorothy, James Parrot, Charles James, William Whiting, John Pitman, John Templeton, Benjamin Perkins, William Wiles, Richard Laurance, Erasmus Peterson, John King, Charles King, Isaac Johnson, Nicholas Lawson. Daniel Chevalle, John Way, Thomas Farrington, Matthew Primer, Anthony Holding, William Rayner, John Quittance, John Harwood, William Jones, Denis Carter, Nicholas Richarson, James Austin, James Pattison, Joseph Hutnot, George Peirse, George Norton, Gabriel Davis, John Breck, John Carter, Paul Giddins, Nicholas Dunbar, Richard Thurbar, Daniel Chuley, and others ; Have lately Imported a considerable Quantity of Gold dult, and some Bar and Coin’d Gold, which they are Violently Suspected to have gotten and obtained, by Felony and Piracy, from some of Her Majesties Friends and Allies, and have Imbezeld and Shared the lane among themselves, without any Adjudication or Condemnation thereof, to be lawful Prize…”
“..And all her Majesties Subjects, and others, are hereby strictly forbiden to entertain, harbour or conceal any of the laid persons, or their Treasure: Or to convey away, or in any manner further the escape of any of them, on pain of being proceeded against with utmost Severity of Laws as accessories and partakers with them in their Crime.”
It sounds like the authorities were very good at pirate talk, perhaps more than the pirates themselves. The Proclamation of May 1704 seemed to have worked, even though Quelch had already escaped once.
In June the Arraignment, Tryal and Condemnation of Capt. John Quelch And Others of his Company takes place under Joesph Dudley, who is now the “Captain-General and Commander in chief and over her Majesty’s Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, in America, &c.”
“Captain John Quelch, And Others in his Company, &c. For Sundry Piracies, Robberies and Murder, Committed upon the Subjects of the King of Portugal, Her Majesty’s Allie, on the Coast of Brazil”
(My thought: Wait! Brazil? Wow, Puritan New England will hunt you down even if you are stirring up trouble in Brazil!)
So, what did Capt. Welch have to say for himself?
“‘This Court is now ready to hear what you have to offer for Yourself.’
Quelch ‘My Council informs me, that he hath sundry matters of the Law to offer to Your Excellency on my behalf.’“
Not as pirate-like as I had hoped, but a well thought out response.
Quelch then goes on to counter-question the witnesses and the evidence and is informed by the Court that he is not able to counter-question the evidence. Quelch is smart, logical and uses his lawyers like a modern crime-boss. (Grabbing my popcorn for more.)
Finally, the last page of the Quelch Trial lists the names, ages, and places of birth of each pirate in Quelch’s crew. This is a fascinating look at who joined Quelch, men coming from different countries and ranging in age from adventurous young fifteen-year-olds to stalwart fifty-year-olds. The opportunity offered in Piracy appealed to so many to free themselves from their station in life.
And lastly let’s look at the June 30, 1704, broadside, An Account of the Behaviors and Last Dying SPEECHES of the Six Pirates, that were executed on Chrles River, Boston side, on Fryday June 30th 1704 Viz.
The six pirates were Capt. John Quelch, John Lambert, Christopher Scudamore, John Miller, Erasmus Peterson, and Peter Roach.
Of Capt. John Quelch I have a newfound respect.
“The last words he spoke to one of the Ministers at his going up to the Stage, were, I am not afraid of death, I am not afraid of the Gallows, but I am afraid of what follows; I am afraid of a Great God, and a Judgement to Come. But he afterwards seemed to brave it out too much against that fear; also when on Stage first he pulled off his Hat, and bowed to the Spectators, and not Concerned, nor behaving himself so much like a Dying man as some would have done.”
At last we have our pirate talk! Whatever you may take that to mean, other than mere repentance, it was a warning to all pirates ‘Beware in New-England!’
Enjoy a day of Speaking like a Pirate and keep our many pirate testimonies and writings in your thoughts! Search our online catalog, Abigail, for the subject heading ‘pirate’ and you too will find many items to research!