« We, under subscribers, are ready to make oath to the following circumstances on board the Swedish sloop Mary.

On April the 21st, sailed from St. Thomas, bound to Crab Island.

On the 23rd, arrived in Crab Island, took in part of the cargo.

On the 24th, removed the sloop to a bay called Dead Cay, which took off the remainder of the cargo, amounting to 97 posts and a quantity of wood.

Seeing it look squally, with wind at N.E. blowing very hard with heavy seas, getting under way, parted the cables, made sail with every exertion as possible; one could not get her off the shore. The moment she struck, we were surrounded by the Spaniards, which came on board and cut the rigging and sails away, and robbed and plundered everything they possibly could lay their hands on. On the 25th, they stole the flying jib and foresail.

That night, about 10 or 11 o’clock, where we lay, was surrounded by the Spaniards, which took everything we had from us, took the captain’s trunk with his passport and money, and every stitch of clothes he had, only what he stood in, and all of ours, and said if we were not away the next day, they would put us all to death.

Accordingly, to save our lives, we took the boat with an attempt to proceed to Passage. After rowing a great way, got on board a small boat bound to Tortola, which landed us on the island of St. John, and then we proceeded to St. Thomas ».

Signed : Hiram Beakes, Jacob Wright, John Parnell

Beakes et Wright are Sabans for sure, but could Hiram Beakes be the famous pirate ?

The letter is undated; however, it is part of a bundle of papers from the Saint-Barth notary for 1785.

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