Jon Hagadorn

At length he came to Boston, in New England, and seemed to have a desire of settling in those parts, and some of his companions went on shore there also.

But he charged his resolution, and proposed to the few of his companions who were left to sail for Ireland, which they consented to.

He found out that New England was not a proper place for him, because a great deal of his wealth lay in diamonds, and should he have produced them there, he would have certainly been seized on suspicion of piracy."

In their voyage to Ireland, they avoided St.

George's Channel, and sailing north about, they put into one of the northern ports of that kingdom.

There they disposed of their sloop, and coming on shore they separated themselves, some going to Cork, and some to Dublin, eighteen of whom obtained their pardons afterwards of King William.

When Avery had remained some time in this kingdom, he was afraid to offer his diamonds to sail, lest an inquiry into his manner of coming by them should occasion a discovery.

Therefore, considering with himself what was best to be done, he fancied there were some persons at Bristol whom he might venture to trust, upon which he resolved to pass over into England.

He did so, and going into Devonshire, he sent to one of those friends to meet him at a town called Biddeford.

When he had communicated himself to his friends, and consulted with him about the means of his effects, they agreed that the safest method would be to put them in the hands of some merchants, who, being men of wealth and credit in the world, no inquiry would be made how they came by them.

This friend, telling them that he was very intimate with some who were very fit for the purpose, and if he would but allow them a good commission, would do the business very faithfully.

Avery liked the proposal, for he felt no other way of managing his affairs, since he could not appear in them himself.

Therefore his friend going back to Bristol, and opening the matter to the merchants, they made Avery a visit at Biddeford, where, after some protestations of honor and integrity, he delivered them his effects, consisting of diamonds and some vessels of gold.

They gave him a little money for his present subsistence, and so they parted.

Avery changed his name and lived at Biddeford, without making any figure, and therefore there was no great notice taken of him, yet that one or two of his relations know where he was, who came to see him.

In some time his little money was spent, yet he heard nothing from his merchants.

He writ to them often, and after much importunity they sent him a small supply, but scarce sufficient to pay his debts.

In fine, the supplies they sent him from time to time were so small that they were not sufficient to give him bread, nor could he get that little without a great deal of trouble and importunity.

Wherefore, being weary of his life, he went privately to Bristol to speak to the merchants himself, where instead of money he met a most shocking repulse.

for when he desired them to come to an account with him, they silenced him by threatening to discover him, so that our merchants were as good pirates at land as he was at sea.