A GENERAL
HISTORY
OF THE
PYRATES,

FROM
Their first RISE and SETTLEMENT in the Island of
Providence, to the present Time.

With the remarkable Actions and Adventures of the two Female Pyrates

Mary Read and Anne Bonny;

Contain'd in the following Chapters,

Introduction.
Chap. I. Of Capt. Avery.
II. Of Capt. Martel.
III. Of Capt. Teach.
IV. Of Capt. Bonnet.
V. Of Capt. England.
VI. Of Capt. Vane.
VII. Of Capt. Rackam.
VIII. Of Capt. Davis.
IX. Of Capt. Roberts.
X. Of Capt. Anstis.
XI. Of Capt. Worley.
XII. Of Capt. Lowther.
XIII. Of Capt. Low.
XIV. Of Capt. Evans.
XV. Of Capt. Phillips.
XVI. Of Capt. Spriggs.
And their several Crews.

To which is added.

A short ABSTRACT of the Statute and CivilLaw, in Relation to Pyracy.

The second EDITION, with considerable ADDITIONS

By Captain Charles Johnson.

LONDON:
Printed for, and sold by T. Warner, at the Black-Boy inPater-Noster-Row, 1724.

THE
PREFACE.

HAVING taken more than ordinary Pains incollecting the Materials which compose thefollowing History, we could not be satisfiedwith our selves, if any Thing were wanting toit, which might render it entirely satisfactoryto the Publick: It is for this Reason we have subjoined tothe Work, a short Abstract of the Laws now in Force againstPyrates, and made Choice of some particular Cases, (themost curious we could meet with) which have been heretoforetried, by which it will appear what Actions have, andwhat have not been adjudged Pyracy.

It is possible this Book may fall into the Hands of someMasters of Ships, and other honest Mariners, who frequently,by contrary Winds or Tempests, or other Accidents incidentto long Voyages, find themselves reduced to great Distresses,either through Scarcity of Provisions, or Want ofStores. I say, it may be a Direction to such as those, whatLengths they may venture to go, without violating the Lawof Nations, in Case they should meet other Ships at Sea, orbe cast on some inhospitable Shore, which should refuse totrade with them for such Things as are absolutely necessaryfor the Preservation of their Lives, or the Safety of theShip and Cargoe.

We have given a few Instances in the Course of thisHistory of the Inducements Men have to engage