Colonial Virginia's War Against Piracy: The Governor & the Buccaneer

by Jeremy R. Moss

Overview

The story of a high stakes rivalry between Governor Francis Nicholson and pirate captain Louis Guittar.

Governor Francis Nicholson of Virginia was a proven pirate-hunter and enforcer. By the spring of 1700, his concerns about pirate activity in the Chesapeake Bay and rivers of Virginia were at a fever pitch. Nicholson was unimpressed with the HMS Essex Prize and its commander, John Aldred, who had been tasked with keeping colonial shores safe from smuggling. The HMS Shoreham was sent to Virginia to secure the area from the scourge of piracy, and its arrival brought some relief. Then, the arrival of the ship La Paix, commanded by buccaneer captain Louis Guittar, brought Nicholson on high alert and ready for action.

Author Jeremy Moss tells the stories of Nicholson and Guittar through their fateful battle on the Lynnhaven Bay.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439675144
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	06/27/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Jeremy R. Moss is an accomplished real estate developer, lawyer and lobbyist living in Jacksonville, Florida. Jeremy is an emerging author and freelance historian, and his research is focused on piracy and early colonial maritime history. Jeremy's first book, The Life and Tryals of the Gentleman Pirate, Major Stede Bonnet, was met with significant interest and praise. When not working or writing, Jeremy is a family man and can be found telling stories of adventure and buried treasure to his three young sons (www.AuthorJeremyMoss.com).

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Acknowledgements 11

1 "I Know How to Govern" 13

2 "A Remarkably Seasoned Military Officer and Colonial Administrator" 20

3 "Profligate Men and Their Barbarous Actions" 23

4 "Hues and Gryes Were Raised Throughout the Colony" 30

5 "I am Kidd" 39

6 "Most Expedient Manner for Trying Pirates" 45

7 "The Occupations of Cow-Killing and Cruising" 47

8 "Engaged with Them as Their Captain" 52

9 "You May Have Seven or Eight Pounds a Month, if You can Take It" 60

10 "Their Designe Was for Taking Any Shipp" 66

11 "A Rather Unremarkable Sunday" 69

12 "In Readiness with Their Arms and Ammunition" 73

13 "Broil! Broil! Broil!" 76

14 "The Pirate Struck His Bloody Colors" 82

15 "Must I Be Hanged that Can Speake All Languages?" 88

16 "Nothing but Extraordinary Means Can Remedy This Great Evil" 90

Epilogue 107

Notes 107

Index 137

About the Author 141