The attention of our
readers is now to be directed to the history
of two female pirates,--a history which is
chiefly remarkable from the extraordinary
circumstance of the softer sex assuming a
character peculiarly distinguished for every
vice that can disgrace humanity, and at the
same time for the exertion of the most
daring, though brutal, courage.
Mary Read was a native of England, but at
what place she was born is not recorded. Her
mother married a sailor when she was very
young, who, soon after their marriage, went
to sea, and never returned. The fruit of
that marriage was a sprightly boy. The
husband not returning, she again found
herself with child, and to cover her shame,
took leave of her husband's relations, and
went to live in the country, taking her boy
along with her. Her son in a short time
died, and she was relieved from the burden
of his maintenance and education. The mother
had not resided long in the country before
Mary Read, the subject of the present
narrative, was born.
After the birth of Mary, her mother
resided in the country for three or four
years, until her money was all spent, and
her ingenuity was set at work to contrive
how to obtain a supply. She knew that her
husband's mother was in good circumstances,
and could easily support her child, provided
she could make her pass for a boy, and her
son's child. But it seemed impossible to
impose upon an old experienced mother. She,
however, presented Mary in the character of
her grandson. The old woman proposed to take
the boy to live with her, but the mother
would not on any account part with her boy;
the grandmother, therefore, allowed a crown
per week for his support.
The ingenuity of the mother being
successful, she reared the daughter as a
boy. But as she grew up, she informed her of
the secret of her birth, in order that she
might conceal her sex. The grandmother,
however, dying, the support from that
quarter failed, and she was obliged to hire
her out as a footboy to a French lady. The
strength and manly disposition of this
supposed boy increased with her years, and
leaving that servile employment, she engaged
on board a man-of-war.
The volatile disposition of the youth did
not permit her to remain long in this
station, and she next went into Flanders,
and joined a regiment of foot as a cadet.
Though in every action she conducted herself
with the greatest bravery, yet she could not
obtain a commission, as they were in general
bought and sold. She accordingly quitted
that service, and enlisted into a regiment
of horse; there she behaved herself so
valiantly, that she gained the esteem of all
her officers. It, however, happened, that
her comrade was a handsome young Fleming,
and she fell passionately in love with him.
The violence of her feelings rendered her
negligent of her duty, and effected such a
change in her behaviour as attracted the
attention of all. Both her comrade and the
rest of the regiment deemed her mad. Love,
however, is inventive, and as they slept in
the same tent, she found means to discover
her sex without any seeming design. He was
both surprised and pleased, supposing that
he would have a mistress to himself; but he
was greatly mistaken, and he found that it
was necessary to court her for his wife. A
mutual attachment took place, and, as soon
as convenient, women's clothes were provided
for her, and they were publicly married.
The singularity of two troopers marrying
caused a general conversation, and many of
the officers honored the ceremony with their
presence, and resolved to make presents to
the bride, to provide her with necessaries.
After marriage they were desirous to quit
the service, and their discharge being
easily obtained, they set up an ordinary
under the sign of the "Three Shoes," and
soon acquired a considerable run of
business.
But Mary Read's felicity was of short
duration; the husband died, and peace being
concluded, her business diminished. Under
these circumstances she again resumed her
man's dress, and going into Holland,
enlisted into a regiment of foot quartered
in one of the frontier towns. But there
being no prospect of preferment in time of
peace, she went on board a vessel bound for
the West Indies.
During the voyage, the vessel was
captured by English pirates, and as Mary was
the only English person on board, they
detained her, and having plundered the
vessel of what they chose, allowed it to
depart. Mary continued in that unlawful
commerce for some time, but the royal pardon
being tendered to all those in the West
Indies, who should, before a specified day,
surrender, the crew to which she was
attached, availed themselves of this, and
lived quietly on shore with the fruits of
their adventures. But from the want of their
usual supplies, their money became
exhausted; and being informed that Captain
Rogers, in the island of Providence, was
fitting out some vessels for privateering,
Mary, with some others, repaired to that
island to serve on board his privateers. We
have already heard, that scarcely had the
ships sailed, when some of their crews
mutinied, and ran off with the ships, to
pursue their former mode of life. Among
these was Mary Read. She indeed, frequently
declared, that the life of a pirate was what
she detested, and that she was constrained
to it both on the former and present
occasion. It was, however, sufficiently
ascertained, that both Mary Read and Anne
Bonney were among the bravest and most
resolute fighters of the whole crew; that
when the vessel was taken, these two
heroines, along with another of the pirates,
were the last three upon deck; and that
Mary, having in vain endeavored to rouse the
courage of the crew, who had fled below,
discharged a pistol amongst them, killing
one and wounding another.
Nor was Mary less modest than brave; for
though she had remained many years in the
character of a sailor, yet no one had
discovered her sex, until she was under the
necessity of doing so to Anne Bonney. The
reason of this was, that Anne, supposing her
to be a handsome fellow, became greatly
enamored of her, and discovered her sex and
wishes to Mary, who was thus constrained to
reveal her secret to Anne. Rackam being the
paramour of Bonney, and observing her
partiality towards Mary, threatened to shoot
her lover; so that to prevent any mischief,
Anne also informed the captain of the sex of
her companion.
Rackam was enjoined to secrecy, and here
he behaved honorably; but love again
assailed the conquered Mary. It was usual
with the pirates to retain all the artists
who were captured in the trading-vessels;
among these was a very handsome young man,
of engaging manners, who vanquished the
heart of Mary. In a short time her love
became so violent, that she took every
opportunity of enjoying his company and
conversation; and, after she had gained his
friendship, discovered her sex. Esteem and
friendship were speedily converted into the
most ardent affection, and a mutual flame
burned in the hearts of these two lovers. An
occurrence soon happened that put the
attachment of Mary to a severe trial. Her
lover having quarrelled with one of the
crew, they agreed to fight a duel on shore.
Mary was all anxiety for the fate of her
lover, and she manifested a greater concern
for the preservation of his life than that
of her own; but she could not entertain the
idea that he could refuse to fight, and so
be esteemed a coward. Accordingly she
quarrelled with the man who challenged her
lover, and called him to the field two hours
before his appointment with her lover,
engaged him with sword and pistol, and laid
him dead at her feet.
Though no esteem or love had formerly
existed, this action was sufficient to have
kindled the most violent flame. But this was
not necessary, for the lover's attachment
was equal, if not stronger than her own;
they pledged their faith, which was esteemed
as binding as if the ceremony had been
performed by a clergyman.
Captain Rackam one day, before he knew
that she was a woman, asked her why she
followed a line of life that exposed her to
so much danger, and at last to the certainty
of being hanged. She replied, that, "As to
hanging, she thought it no great hardship,
for were it not for that, every cowardly
fellow would turn pirate, and so infest the
seas; and men of courage would starve. That
if it was put to her choice, she would not
have the punishment less than death, the
fear of which kept some dastardly rogues
honest; that many of those who are now
cheating the widows and orphans, and
oppressing their poor neighbors who have no
money to obtain justice, would then rob at
sea, and the ocean would be as crowded with
rogues as the land: so that no merchants
would venture out, and the trade in a little
time would not be worth following."
Being with child at the time of her
trial, her execution was delayed; and it is
probable that she would have found favor,
but in the mean time she fell sick and died.
Mary Read was of a strong and robust
constitution, capable of enduring much
exertion and fatigue. She was vain and bold
in her disposition, but susceptible of the
tenderest emotions, and of the most melting
affections. Her conduct was generally
directed by virtuous principles, while at
the same time, she was violent in her
attachments. Though she was inadvertently
drawn into that dishonorable mode of life
which has stained her character, and given
her a place among the criminals noticed in
this work, yet she possessed a rectitude of
principle and of conduct, far superior to
many who have not been exposed to such
temptations to swerve from the path of
female virtue and honor.
Mary Read kills her antagonist.
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