Pirates & Privateers: Be They Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or Anarchist? [Pirate Day Vanity]

Various | 19 Sept 2003 | MalcolmS

[MalcolmS]

First, lets answer the question; they talk the same (Arrr Matey!), so how can ye tell the difference between a Pirate and a Privateer?

From this here website:

“Privateering was legal, and in its time generally respected, and often admired. Privateers operated only in wartime and only against enemy shipping. They were, in many ways, in the same business as the navy, which likewise paid its sailors and officers from the proceeds of captured ships.

Pirates were stateless criminals who attacked anyone’s ships in peace or war, following their own unique customs and rules which bore no resemblance to elaborately regulated world of privateering.”

Now some of ye might be thinking, Arrr, “stateless criminals who attacked anyone … their own unique rules”, why that be Democrats for sure. Not so quick I say. Unlike them scurvy party of Donkeys, some of them pirates were actually cheering for these here United States. According to this here website,

the “French sounding” pirate Jean Laffite helped defend New Orleans against the British in the war of 1812.

“Laffite sought out Andrew Jackson, the Tennessee soldier who came to protect New Orleans. Although initially against any offer from the "hellish banditti," Jackson reassessed his decision after Laffite offered him two things he desperately needed: 7,500 flints with powder and 1,000 fighting men. Although the Battle of New Orleans was technically fought after the war ended, there was little doubt that the British would have captured New Orleans had Laffite and his men not fought under Jackson.”

Now many pirates were indeed dastardly brigands. Gaspar raided the waters around Florida until 1821, when he was brought to a fine, manly, saber-waving piratical end by none other than the USS Enterprise. Despite his dastardly deeds, so brave a lad was he that they named the superbowl–winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his honor.

Now in the war of 1812, the USA, not having a fleet that could trade cannonades with the British, outfitted many a privateer, most sailing from Baltimore. From this here website,

“But this era of peacetime prosperity lasted only until 1812, when once again the outbreak of war focused the energies of Fells Point on privateering. By this time, the local shipyard had refined the Baltimore Clipper to near perfection, especially in the speed and maneuverability which privateering required. During the War, 126 privateers operated out of Baltimore, capturing over 500 British ships. And the four most successful privateering ships-- the Rossie, the Rolla, the Corn- et, and the Chasseur-- were built by Thomas Kemp in his small Fells Point shipyard at Washington and Aliceanna Streets. Each of these seized scores of ships and hundreds of thousands of dollars of cargo. In fact, the Chasseur--also known as the Pride of Baltimore--carried the war to the home waters of England, where Captain Thomas Boyle proclaimed from on board that Britain itself was in a "state of strict and rigorous blockade." For eight months, the Chasseur proved such a threat to English shipping that the British admiralty dispatched six warships to hunt her down; each, at one time or another, sighted and chased the Chasseur, with no success. “

So these privateers kept the British from undoing the War of Independence.

So what are the facts about pirates? (From http://www.youthonline.ca/pirates/ )

-Buccaneers were people of the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Tortuga, who were paid by the governors of the Caribbean islands to attack Spanish treasure ships and ports. Eventually the Buccaneers became more and more out of control and attacked any ship they thought carried valuable cargo, whether it belonged to the enemy or not. In this way they became true pirates.

-The ships pilot was actually the captain. The captain, as we understand them, was actually the battle leader. The pilot and captain retained the same portion of profits. If the pirate crew felt the captain was not getting them enough booty, they would vote him out and elect a new captain from their crew.

-Pirate attacks were often successful. This is because the ships usually carried far more crew than other ships of it's size. They easily out numbered their victims. They also altered their ships so they could carry more cannons.

-When ships saw the Jolly Roger flying on the mast of an approaching ship, they often surrendered without a fight because they new they would probably lose.

-If a ship flew a Jolly Roger that was red, poeple would be terrified to see the ship coming. A red Jolly Roger means that no mercy would be should to captian, crew and passengers.

-Blackbeard were a pirate that instilled fear in others. He was heavily armed with knives, cutlasses and pistols. He also tried to make himself espcially fearsome by making his eyes look wild and twisting pieces of fuse that he lite on fire in his thick tangled hair.

-There were many female pirates. Some examples are Anne Bonny, Mary Read and Grace O'Malley.

-Pirate ships were the first democratic organization of the New World. Each pirate was allowed to vote on where the ship was to go or if a ship should be attacked. Each pirate received an equal share of the booty, with a double share going to the captain, pilot, carpenter, cook and share set aside for the maintenance of the ship. Each pirate signed an aggreement-called articles-before they joined. This paper detailed how much they would be paid, behaviour expected and punishment for breaking the rules. For breaking the rules a pirate would be marooned with a flagon of water and a pistol, to survive or die, flogged (40 lashes minus one) or shot.

-Pirates were compensated for loss of limb. They would received anywhere from 100-800 pieces of eight and possibly a slave.

-Doctors didn't sail on pirate ships, so if a pirate's arm or leg was badly injured during battle, it was cut off by the ship's cook.

Now here’s some thoughts to get you started.

-Democrats are like pirates, because despite the pretense of “equal shares”, some are more equal than others. And they used a "democratic organization" to loot and plunder. Plus you got paid someone else’s money if you lost a limb—sort of a combination of Hillary Care and the Lawsuit system.

-Republicans are like Privateers because they believe it is proper to shrink government by privatizing functions like defence and rely on the capitalist system.

-Libertarians are like Privateers, because they believe that the most powerful weapons available at the time can be entrusted to, and used by, private citizens.

-Anarchists are like pirates, because both like to fight, riot and loot.

So what say ye, lubbers and salty dawgs all? Pirates & Privateers: Be They Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or Anarchist?

[MalcolmS]

This here post be in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day: Sept 19

http://www.talklikeapirate.com

[MalcolmS]

Ahoy Mates! (That be pirate talk for Ping)

[Blood of Tyrants]

The U.S. Constitution allows Congress to issue "letters of marque", i.e. basically what that does is give privately owned ships the right to engage and seize enemy ships on the high seas.

[hauerf]

AAAAARRRRRRRR!

Aye, matey, it be a fine day for drinkin' grog.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"Rum and Gold are good to follow
'Til bones be bare and skulls be hollow"

(supposed to be a genuine pirate ditty)

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Arrrhh! I be off to the pet store to get me a parrot fer me shoulder.

I hears they be a great pirate accessory. Arrrh!

[MalcolmS]

Get your letters of marque here:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Garden/5213/marque2.htm


Although enshrined in the Constitution, US has since signed the scurvy Declaration of Paris outlawing their use. Shiver Me Timbers!

[Eva]

The Ballad of William Kidd

My name was William Kidd,
When I sailed, when I sailed,
My name was William Kidd,
When I sailed,
My name was William Kidd;
God's laws I did forbid,
And so wickedly I did,
When I sailed.
2. My parents taught me well,
When I sailed, when I sailed,
My parents taught me well,
When I sailed,
My parents taught me well,
To shun the gates of hell,
But against them I rebelled,
When I sailed.

3. I'd a Bible in my hand,
When I sailed, when I sailed,
I'd a Bible in my hand,
When I sailed,
I'd a Bible in my hand,
By my father's great command,
And I sunk it in the sand,
When I sailed.

4. I murdered William Moore,
As I sailed, as I sailed
I murdered William Moore, (my grandmother's ancestor)
As I sailed,
I murdered William Moore,
And laid him in his gore,
Not many leagues from shore,
As I sailed.

5. I was sick and nigh to death,
As I sailed, as I sailed
I was sick and nigh to death,
As I sailed,
I was sick and nigh to death,
And I vowed with every breath,
To walk in wisdom's ways,
When I sailed.

6. I thought I was undone,
As I sailed, as I sailed
I thought I was undone,
As I sailed,
I thought I was undone,
And my wicked glass had run,
But health did soon return,
As I sailed.

7. My repentance lasted not,
As I sailed, as I sailed
My repentance lasted not,
As I sailed,
My repentance lasted not,
My vows I soon forgot,
Damnation was my lot,
As I sailed.

8. I spied three ships from France,
As I sailed, as I sailed
I spied three ships from France,
As I sailed,
I spied three ships from France,
To them I did advance,
And took them all by chance,
As I sailed.
9. I spied three ships from Spain,
As I sailed, as I sailed
I spied three ships from Spain,
As I sailed,
I spied three ships from Spain,
I looted them for gain,
Till most of them were slain,
As I sailed.
10. I'd ninety bars of gold,
As I sailed, as I sailed
I'd ninety bars of gold,
As I sailed,
I'd ninety bars of gold,
And dollars manifold,
With riches uncontrolled,
As I sailed.

11. Thus being o'ertaken at last,
As I sailed, as I sailed
Thus being o'ertaken at last,
As I sailed,
Thus being o'ertaken at last,
And into prison cast,
And sentence being passed,
As I sailed.

12. Farewell, the raging main,
I must die, I must die,
Farewell, the raging main,
I must die,
Farewell, the raging main,
To Turkey, France, and Spain,
I shall never see you again,
For I must die.

13. To the Execution Dock,
I must go, I must go,
To the Execution Dock,
I must go,
To the Execution Dock,
While many thousands flock,
But I must bear the shock,
And must die.

14. Come all ye young and old,
And see me die, see me die,
Come all ye young and old,
And see me die,
Come all ye young and old,
You're welcome to my gold,
For by it I've lost my soul,
And must die.

15. Take a warning now by me,
For I must die, I must die,
Take a warning now by me,
For I must die,
Take a warning now by me,
And shun bad company,
Let you come to hell with me,
For I must die.

---

As I noted, William was an ancestor in my grandmother's line and this ditty was commonly sung to the kids in the family.

[MalcolmS]

Here's a fine piratical ditty about some unfortunate Canadian Pirates:

BARRETT'S PRIVATEERS
by Stan Rogers
Oh, the year was 1778, HOW I WISH I WAS IN SHERBROOKE NOW!
A letter of marque come from the king,
To the scummiest vessel I'd ever seen,
CHORUS:
God damn them all!
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold
We'd fire no guns-shed no tears
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers.
Oh, Elcid Barrett cried the town, HOW I WISH I WAS . . .
For twenty brave men all fishermen who
would make for him the Antelope's crew
(chorus)
The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight,
She'd a list to the port and and her sails in rags
And the cook in scuppers with the staggers and the jags
(chorus)
On the King's birthday we put to sea,
We were 91 days to Montego Bay
Pumping like madmen all the way
(chorus)
On the 96th day we sailed again,
When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight
With our cracked four pounders we made to fight
(chorus)
The Yankee lay low down with gold,
She was broad and fat and loose in the stays
But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days
(chorus)
Then at length we stood two cables away,
Our cracked four pounders made an awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in
(chorus)
The Antelope shook and pitched on her side,
Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the Maintruck carried off both me legs
(chorus)
So here I lay in my 23rd year,
It's been 6 years since we sailed away
And I just made Halifax yesterday
(chorus)

For a line-by-line analysis, go to
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~jacktar/barretts.html#

Me timbers were shivered to find out that this is a very popular folk song in Canada, despite the crushing failure of the piratical mission. Arrr!

[dljordan]

The founder of our family came here in 1620 from England under somewhat suspicious circumstances. He was listed on the ship's manifest as a "Gentleman Adventurer". My mother found some records in Virginia that listed his property when he died. It seems he left mostly land, guns, armor and two ships. I wonder what he did with those ships? ARRRH!

[MalcolmS]

Arrrr! Descended from pirates bump!

[Dead Dog]

It seems he left mostly land, guns, armor and two ships. I wonder what he did with those ships?

Shame they didn't keep them in the family. They've all appreciated significantly.

[jim_trent]

Exactly what is the difference between Anarchists and Libertarians?

[freeeee]

Exactly what is the difference between Anarchists and Libertarians?

Anarchists may initiate force or fraud. They allow for no government structure and no laws.

Libertarians prohibit initiation of force or fraud. They advocate a government and a set of laws whose sole purpose is to uphold the rights of individuals.

[Congressman Billybob]

Shiver me timbers! Thankee for yar fine post, Mate-ee.

This article gives the basic reason why the Battle of Fort McHenry (where the "Star-Spangled Banner was written), determined the fate of the nation. By September, 1814, the British had already captured and burned Washington, D.C. But they had not won the war, and could not win it, unless they could shut down the docks and shipyards in Baltimore, from which the Baltimore Clippers sailed.

If the Fort had been "reduced" and surrendered, the City would have fallen. If the City fell, the shipyards would be burned. And if the Baltimore Clippers had been eliminated, the British would have won the War of 1812, and returned the American states to the status of colonies of the Crown.

And now you know "the rest of the story."

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "An Open Letter to Howard Dean," discussion thread on FR. Article is also on ChronWatch.

[MalcolmS]

Didn't you have a more article on this topic posted some time ago. Can yer dredge up a link for it andpost it here matey?


That, or you'll be walking the plank with your gizzards spilt for chum!

[mewzilla]

[Congressman Billybob]

Playboy ran a cartoon a couple decades ago that showed two sailors sitting on a stone wall in a port. A man was walking past them who had two peg legs, a parrot on each shoulder, and two peg legs. The caption was, "He's a pirate's pirate."

Cheers,

Billybob / John

[Congressman Billybob]

I wrote a two-part column on the Battle of Fort McHenry. Both were posted here on FR. Somebody who's more computer adept than I am could put up the links. The nation was saved by the winning of that Battle one hundred and ninty years and five days ago.

Billybob

Is that enough info to save my gizzards, which I'm rather attached to, by the way, from being "split for chum"?

[Congressman Billybob]

Arrrgh. Brain freeze on the cartoon. That was "two peg legs, two parrots, and two eye patches." Blast.

Billybob