Jon Hagadorn

He made as great a noise in the world as Meravez does now, and was looked upon to be a person of his great consequence.

He was represented in Europe as one that had raised himself to the dignity of a king, and was likely to be founder of a new monarchy, having, as it was said, taken immense riches, and married the great mogul's daughter, who was taken in an Indian ship which fell into his hands, and that he had by her many children, living in great royalty and state, that he had built forts, erected magazines, and was master of a stout squadron of ships, banded with able and desperate fellows of all nations."

that he gave commissions out in his own time to the captains of his ships and to the commanders of his forts, and was acknowledged by them as their prince.

A play was written upon him called The Successful Pirate, and these accounts obtained such belief that several schemes were offered to the council for fitting out a squadron to take him, while others were for offering him and his companions an act of grace and inviting them to England, with all their treasure, lest his growing greatness might hinder the trade of Europe to the East Indies.

Yet all these were no more than false rumors, improved by the credulity of some, and the humor of others, who love to tell strange things.

For, while it was said, he was aspiring at a crown, he wanted a shilling, and at the same time it was given out he was in possession of such prodigious wealth in Madagascar, he was starving in England.

No doubt but the reader will have a curiosity of knowing what became of this man, and what were the true grounds of so many false reports concerning him.

Therefore I shall, in as brief a manner as I can, give his history.

Henry Avery was born in the west of England, near Plymouth and Devonshire, being bred to the sea and served as a mate of a merchantman in several trading voyages.

It happened before the Peace of Rifwick, when there was an alliance between Spain, England, Holland, and against France.

that the French and Martinique carried on a smuggling trade with the Spaniards, on the continent of Peru, which by the laws of Spain is not allowed to friends in time of peace, for none but native Spaniards are permitted to traffic in those parts, or set their feet on shore, unless at any time they are brought as prisoners, wherefore they constantly keep certain ships cruising along the coast, whom they call Guarda del Costa, who have orders to make prizes of all ships they can light of within five leagues of land."

Now the French, growing very bold in trade, and the Spaniards, being poorly provided with ships, and those they had being of no force, it often fell out that when they lighted the French smugglers, they were not strong enough to attack them.

Therefore it was resolved in Spain to hire two or three stout foreign ships for their service, which being known at Bristol, some merchants of that city fitted out two ships of thirty odd guns, and a hundred and twenty hands each,

well furnished with provision and ammunition, and all other stores, and the hire being agreed for by some agents for Spain, they were commanded to sail for Caruna, or the Groin, there to receive their orders, and to take on board some Spanish gentlemen who were to go passengers to New Spain.

Of one of these ships, which I take to be called the Duke, Captain Gibson Commander, Avery was first mate,

and being a fellow of more cunning than courage, he insinuated himself into the good will of several of the boldest fellows on board the other ship, as well as that which he was on board of.

Having sounded their inclinations before he opened himself, and finding them ripe for his design, he, at length, proposed to them to run away with the ship, telling them what great wealth was to be had upon the coast of India.

It was no sooner said than agreed to, and they resolved to execute their plot at ten o'clock the night following.

It must be observed, the captain was one of those who are mightily addicted to punch, so that he passed most of his time on shore, in some little drinking ordinary.

But this day he did not go on shore as usual.