would certainly have had this Reflection for their Conſolation, viz. That what ever Robberies they had committed, they might be pretty ſure they were not the greateſt Villains then living in the World.
It is a difficult Matter to make a Computation of the Miſchief that was done by this Crew, in about five Years Time, which is much more than the Plunder they gained, for they often ſunk or burnt the Veſſel they took, as it ſuited their Humour or Circumſtances, ſometimes to prevent giving Intelligence, ſometimes becauſe they did not leave Men to navigate them, and at other Times out of Wantonneſs, or becauſe they were diſpleaſed at the Maſter’s Behaviour; for any of theſe, it was but to give the Word, and down went Ships and Cargoes to the Bottom of the Sea.
Since their Surrender to the Spaniards, I am informed ſeveral of them have left the Place, and diſperſed themſelves elſewhere; eight of them were ſhipp’d about November laſt, in one of the South-Sea Company’s Aſſiento Sloops, and paſſed for Ship-wreck’d Men, came to Jamaica, and there ſailed in other Veſſels; and I know one of them that came to England this Spring from that Iſland. ’Tis ſaid that Captain Taylor has taken a Commiſſion in the Spaniſh Service, and commanded the Man of War that lately attack’d the Engliſh Log-Wood Cutters, in the Bay of Honduras.
