There was one John Philmore of Ipſwich, formerly taken by them, ordered to row Cheeſeman aboard of Mortimer’s Ship, which the Pyrates poſſeſs’d themſelves of, who, ſeeing with what Reluctance and Uneaſineſs Cheeſeman was brought away, told him, he would join with him, in ſome Meaſures, to over-throw the pyratical Government, telling him withal, their preſent Condition, what Difficulties Phillips had met with to make up his Company, and how few voluntary Pyrates there were on Board, and the like. But, however ſpecious this ſeemed, Cheeſeman out of Prudence rejected his Offers of Aſſiſtance, till he ſaw ſome Proofs of his Sincerity, which after a few Days he was convinced of, and then they often conſulted; but as the old Pyrates were always jealous of the new Comers, and conſequently obſervant of their Behaviour; this was done with the utmoſt Caution, chiefly when they were lying down together, as tho’ aſleep, and, at other Times, when they were playing at Cards; both which they feigned often to do for that Purpoſe.
The Pyrates went on all the while, plundering and robbing ſeveral Ships and Veſſels, bending their Courſe towards Newfoundland, where they deſigned to raiſe more Men, and do all the Miſchief they could on the Banks, and in the Harbours.
Newfoundland is an Iſland on the North Continent of America, contained between the 46 and 53° of N. Latitude, diſcovered firſt by St. Sebaſtion Cabot A. D. 1497, but never ſettled till the Year 1610; when Mr. Guy of Briſtol revived the Affair, and obtained a Patent, and himſelf to be Governor. The Iſland is deſerted by the Natives and neglected by us, being deſolate and Woody, and the Coaſt and Harbour only held for the Conveniency of the Cod Fiſhery, for which alone they were ſettled.
