Pirates and Democracy

 

"Over time, the myth of the pirate has generated the image of a rugged, foul man with an elaborate hat, an eye patch, and a peg leg. The men of the tales are brutal and unforgiving, forcing captives to walk the plank, and mercilessly plundering ships at sea. What’s lost in this picture? That pirates made a significant contribution to the development of American democracy in the late eighteenth century.   

Although there are numerous examples of democratic indigenous cultures in North America, these are equally under-reported, as are pirate organizations both of which predated any modern democratic government. We can read about these in ships articles and other primary source materials from the later named, Golden Age of Piracy, designated by historians as stretching from the 1650s to the 1730s. As an outgrowth of a closed society that sought to maximize hierarchy, in rebellion pirates formed relatively liberal, egalitarian orders based on elected officials and mutual trust" . - Rachel Rolnick See more at: http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/

"...you are a sneaking puppy, and so are all those who will submit to be governed by laws which rich men have made for their own security; for the cowardly whelps have not the courage otherwise to defend what they get by knavery; but damn ye altogether: damn them for a pack of crafty rascals, and you, who serve them, for a parcel of hen-hearted numbskulls. They vilify us, the scoundrels do, when there is only this difference; the rich rob the poor under the cover of law, forsooth, and we plunder the rich under the protection of our own courage. Had you not better make then one of us, than sneak after these villains for employment?"  - Sam Bellamy, Pirate

Captain Samuel Bellamy ( February 23, 1689 – April 26, 1717), better known as "Black Sam" Bellamy, was an English pirate who operated in the early 18th century. Though his known career as a pirate captain lasted little more than a year, he and his crew captured at least 53 ships under his command – making him the wealthiest pirate in recorded history – before his death at age 28. Called "Black Sam" in Cape Cod folklore because he eschewed the fashionable powdered wig in favor of tying back his long black hair with a simple band, Bellamy became known for his mercy and generosity toward those he captured on his raids. This reputation earned him another nickname, the "Prince of Pirates". He likened himself to Robin Hood, with his crew calling themselves "Robin Hood's Men". - wikipedia

 Another interesting glimpse that Bellamy's story provides concerns his crew.  Although Bellamy was himself white/English, Kenneth Kinkor, a piratologist studying the history surrounding Bellamy, believes that his crew included numerous blacks.  “Most of them were former slaves,” he says, “The pirates would raid slave ships and offer male slaves their choice.”  Facing this choice between turning pirate or a living a life of slavery, many chose to serve under Bellamy.  Of the 146 men on board the Whydah when it sank, an estimated 30-50 were black.  Other evidence suggests a very diverse crew, accepting people from all different ethnic backgrounds.  Defoe emphasizes this point in his narrative stating that Bellamy had a crew of 150 "Hands of different Nations."
    Of the entire crew, reports vary as to the exact number of survivors.  Most stick within the range of 2-7 people.  An interesting portion of two survivors' testimonies has survived.  One of these men, Thomas Davis, reported that the 180 bags of silver and gold aboard the Whydah were divided equally amongst the crew, revealing the egality aboard the pirate vessel.  This evidence, too, sheds more light on Bellamy's nature as an egalitarian captain who was loyal to his "merry men."  "from PB Works