drpirate

PIRATES IN NEW ENGLAND
New England-
For roughly 75 years from the middle of the 17th century, piracy was not
merely tolerated in New England, but embraced as a valid form of commerce. Many
governors, city leaders, port and trade officers, sheriffs, merchants, and
others became involved for different reasons. High ranking officials could use
the money and influence gained by involvement in piracy to expand their power
and tighten their control on the populace.
Piracy was viewed as a way to boost the local economy and lower unemployment
among seafaring men. Privateering during England's conflicts with other European
powers also brought economic gain.
Also, the restricted trade caused by the Navigation Acts passed by England in
the early 1690's could be relieved as merchants found their goods through other
channels.
Rhode Island -
Pirates Needed could have been the heading of many 'Help Wanted' ads in the
second half of the 17th century in this tiny state. Newport and Providence were
so welcoming that they were considered ideal places for men like William Kidd,
Blackbeard, Henry Every, and Thomas Tew to recruit, rest or even take up
residence.
Play the RI Anthem (Win Media Download- 10Kb)
Newport's native pirate Thomas Tew returned home by 1694 after his legendary
haul in the Red Sea. During this time, he befriended the Governor of New York,
Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, who eventually sold him a letter of marque for his
second and fatal journey to Madagascar and beyond. * Thomas Tew *
By the 1690's, the legal system had become such a revolving door for pirates,
there was no more punishment or justice than in the mock trials the accused were
said to have in their leisure time. It wasn't long before English trade
officials were petitioning the king to remove Rhode Island's charter, and local
leaders made the effort to change the policies.
Piracy began to suffer in popularity in Rhode Island as elsewhere when the
1700's brought a larger number of merchant vessels to the region, when shop
owners had more to lose than gain from the illegal activity. There was no safe
haven here by the early 1720's, when 26 pirates were hung outside Newport.
Have a Great weekend!!!!