The Royal African Company and Pirates

[Salty Dog]

Thompson’s account again differed from Massey’s. After taking a schooner,
Massey and Lowther having quarrelled he the sd Massey with the Informant and 12 Soldiers . . . went on board ye sd Scooner and . . . Massey then declared that he would take the first ship that they should meet, but there not being any sailor on board besides him the Informant they were obliged to put into Jamaica where they surrendered themselves to Sr Nicholas Laws the Governor who thereupon sent out a small Man of War to seek for the [pirate ship]. And saith that when the sd Massey left her he took out of the aforesd Chest about twenty pounds in Money, the aforesd gold Buttons and some Cloth and Silk to make Cloaths which were taken from the Ma[ste]r of the . . . French sloop. (Pirates, 143)
Massey’s hunt for Lowther bore no fruit, so he boarded a ship for home, where he penned a letter addressed to the RAC’s governor and directors detailing all that had transpired. He offered no excuse, other than
. . . Rashness and Inadvertency in himself, occasioned by his being ill used, contrary to the Promises that had been made him, and the Expectations he had entertained; but own’d that he deserved to die for what he had done; yet, if they had Generosity enough to forgive him, as he was still capable to do them Service, as a Soldier, so he should be ready to do it; but if they resolved to prosecute him, he begg’d only this Favour, that he might not be hang’d like a Dog, but die like a Soldier, as he had been bred from his Childhood, that is, that he might be shot. (Selinger, 140)
As far as the Company cared, they would offer no forgiveness. He “should be fairly hang’d.” (Selinger, 140)

Unlike most people accused of piracy, Captain Massey surrendered himself to authorities at the Old Bailey. He was deemed unlikely to flee and offered the chance to put up bail, which he did, paying £100 in order to walk about London. His trial began and ended on 5 July 1723. Throughout the proceedings, he “never [denied] what he had done, but [reminded] the Evidence against him of several Facts and Circumstances they had forgot; tho’ many Persons expressed a great Sorrow for him, he appear’d no Way troubled himself, affirming some Time afterwards, that he was ready and well satisfied to leave so careful, so tumultuous a World as this had prov’d to him, in Expectation that God would accept his poor Endeavours, and he should be translated to entire Joy and Satisfaction.” (Select, 274)

[Salty Dog]

When asked about the RAC and what he thought of them, he felt “they had dealt severely with him,” but “he would bless them as he passed by to his Death, and wish’d them more Prosperity in their Affairs.” (Select, 274) As for the government, “he wish’d the British Nation would use equal Severity to all Pirates, for the Honour of the English Ships, and the Benefit of particular Traders, that Sailors might pass without Fear, and united Companies traffick without Loss.” (Select, 274)



Twenty-one days later, a mourning coach – equivalent to the black funeral car of today – transported him to Execution Dock.
John Massey was very careful to provide himself with such Books as were necessary . . . [He] appear’d . . . serious and devout; and tho’ he was said to be in some Measure disturb’d in his Head, no one ever observ’d the least indecent or unbecoming Action in his Behaviour; When he first heard that he was on the Friday to suffer, he made no Account of it, but only ask’d me, as soon as he had an Opportunity, when he was to receive the Sacrament? Being answer’d, that ’twas usual to give it a little before the Execution, he said it would be much to his Sorrow if he might not receive it then, and before his Execution too: Accordingly he receiv’d it with much seriousness and Devotion a Week before his Death, having first given a very composed Account of the Nature of it, and the Benefits proceeding from it.

. . . he appear’d upon his Trial, which continu’d for some Hours, and the Jury considering the fulness of the Evidence, and also his own Acknowledgments, brought him in Guilty. Tho’ this was what he by no Means look’d for, yet Sentence being pronounc’d upon him, he was no Ways concern’d, nor appear’d to be at all uneasy at it. . . being about 28 Years of Age, he was thoughtful and serious enough to weigh the Importance of a future State. (Select, 269-271)

[Salty Dog]

He maintained his courage throughout, and asked that after the deed was done “that his Coffin be nail’d immediately after his Death, and that his dearest Wife might not see his Body . . . .” (Select, 275) His final request was to “be buried as near his dear Mother as possible.” (Select, 275) His final words were “Good People, once more I beg of you to pray for my departing Soul. I desire my dying Words may be printed, as for the Truth and Sincerity of them, I Sign them, as a Man departing this World. Capt. John Massey.” (Select, 275)


Notes:

1. No proof exists that these words ever came from Magellan. They have been traced back to a nineteenth-century lawyer named Robert G. Ingersoll, who wrote: “It is a blessed thing that in every age some one has had individuality enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions – someone who had the grandeur to say his say. I believe it was Magellan who said, ‘The church says the earth is flat; but I have seen its shadow on the moon, and I have more confidence even in a shadow than in the church.’ On the prow of his ship were disobedience, defiance, scorn, and success.”

2. Mulct was a fine, a tax, or compulsory payment. The wooden horse was akin to a saw horse that the man straddled. Once atop this contraption, weights were attached to his ankles.

3. It has been estimates that Roberts earned nearly £15,000,000 during his career, based on the purchasing power of the pound in 2005.

4. Ogle would be knighted and receive a medal, becoming the first naval officer to be so honored for suppressing pirates.

5. A pipe can hold 126 gallons.

6. An anchor (also spelled anker) is a small cask. It holds just over nine gallons.