Ref86

Credit to the Author #

Title: A General History of the Pyrates
Author: Captain Charles Johnson
Year: 1724

My Reference Notes #

A cool AI translation of the first page of the book:

Original:

“Having taken more than ordinary pains in collecting the materials which compose the following history, we could not be satisfied with ourselves, if anything were wanting to it, which might render it entirely satisfactory to the public. It is for this reason we have subjoined to the work, a short abstract of the laws now in force against pirates, and made choice of some particular cases (the most curious we could meet with) which have been heretofore tried, by which it will appear what actions have, and what have not been adjudged piracy.

It is possible this book may fall into the hands of some masters of ships, and other honest mariners, who frequently, by contrary winds or tempests, or other accidents incident to long voyages, find themselves reduced to great distresses, either through scarcity of provisions or want of stores. I say, it may be a direction to such as those, what lengths they may venture to go, without violating the law of nations, in case they should meet other ships at sea, or be cast on some inhospitable shore, which should refuse to trade with them for such things as are absolutely necessary for the preservation of their lives, or the safety of the ship and cargo.

We have given a few instances in the course of this history of the inducements men have to engage themselves…"

Modern translation:

“We’ve put in more effort than usual to gather the materials that make up the following history, and we wouldn’t be satisfied if anything were missing that would prevent it from being fully satisfactory to the public. This is why we’ve added to the work a short summary of the current laws against pirates, and selected some interesting cases that have been previously judged, to show what actions have been declared piracy and what have not.

It’s possible that this book may end up in the hands of ship captains and other honest sailors, who, because of unexpected winds, storms, or other incidents during long voyages, may find themselves in great difficulty due to a lack of food or supplies. I say, this book can serve as guidance to them, on how far they can go without breaking international law, in case they encounter other ships at sea, or end up on a hostile shore where the locals refuse to trade for items that are absolutely essential for their survival, or for the safety of the ship and its cargo.

We’ve included a few examples in this history to show what motivates men to get involved…"