A Peculiar Institution: Slavery and Piracy

Transatlantic Slave Trade

Lasted from the 16th to 19th century

An estimated 17 million Africans were captured and sold as slaves

Largest deportation in history

First system of globalization

Major factor in 18th century world economy

British Parliament outlawed the slave trade in 1807, making it illegal for British ships to carry slaves

Parliament abolished slavery in 1833

Below Decks: Diversity and the Brilliant Irony of The Whydah

The Pirate Code

Bartholomew Roberts Ship’s Articles, 1722

• Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity makes it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.

• Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels, or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another, he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.

• No boy or woman [shall] be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing one of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise, he shall suffer death.

• He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in the time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.

• Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have eight hundred pieces of eight from the common stock, and for lesser hurts proportionately.

Whydah• First voyage• Collected slaves along the African coast• Departed for the Americas with 367 slaves• Arrived with 313 slaves

“Black Sam” Bellamy

28 years oldElected captain of the

Marianne after Captain Hornigold refused to capture English ships

His crew was known as “Robin Hood’s Men”

Removed the captain’s quarters from the Whydah and added 28 cannons

I am sorry they won't let you have your sloop again, for I scorn to do any one a mischief, when it is not to my advantage; damn the sloop, we must sink her, and she might be of use to you. Though 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, they 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?

John Julian

Moskito Indian from Central America

16 years old

Pilot of Whydah

Survived wreck but was not given trial, rather sold as a slave. It is believed that he was sold to John Quincy, grandfather of John Quincy Adams.

A reportedly “unruly” slave, “Julian the Indian” was hung in 1733 after killing a bounty hunter following an escape from slavery.

Hendrick Quintor

Free born in Amsterdam, survived the wreck of the Mary Anne, was convicted of piracy and hung.

Last words: It is a dark time with me.

Estimated 30% of pirates were black.

70 black pirates from Bartholomew Roberts crew were sold into slavery.

5 black pirates from Blackbeard’s crew were executed and their testimony implicating North Carolina government official were deemed inadmissible.

Akan Jewelry, GhanaUsed as currency in slave trade

The wreckage4.1 tons of gold and silver sank with the Whydah

Treasure from more than 50 ships

Thousands of coins from around the world

Dozens of cannons