E_Dward England_ went Mate of a Sloop that sail'd out of _Jamaica_, and was taken by Captain _Winter_, a Pyrate, just before their Settlement at _Providence_; from whence _England_ had the Command of a Sloop in the same laudable Employment: It is surprizing that Men of good Understanding should engage in a Course of Life, that so much debases humane Nature, and sets them upon a Level with the wild Beasts of the Forest, who live and prey upon their weaker Fellow Creatures: A Crime so enormous! That it includes almost all others, as Murder, Rapine, Theft, Ingratitude, _&c._ and tho' they make these Vices familiar to them by their daily Practice, yet these Men are so inconsistent with themselves, that a Reflection made upon their Honour, their Justice, or their Courage, is look'd upon as an Offence that ought to be punished with the Life of him that commits it: _England_ was one of these Men, who seem'd to have such a Share of Reason, as should have taught him better Things. He had a great deal of good Nature, and did not want for Courage; he was not avaritious, and always averse to the ill Usage Prisoners received: He would have been contented with moderate Plunder, and less mischievous Pranks, could his Companions have been brought to the same Temper, but he was generally over-rul'd, and as he was engaged in that abominable Society, he was obliged to be a Partner in all their vile Actions.
Captain _England_ sail'd to the Coast of _Africa_, after the Island of _Providence_ was settled by the _English_ Government, and the Pyrates surrendered to his Majesty's Proclamation; and took several Ships and Vessels, particularly the _Cadogan_ Snow belonging to _Bristol_, at _Sierraleone_, one _Skinner_ Master, who was inhumanly murthered by some of the Crew, that had lately been his own Men, and served in the said Vessel. It seems some Quarrel had happened between them, so that _Skinner_ thought fit to remove these Fellows on Board of a Man of War, and at the same Time refused them their Wages; not long after they found Means to desert that Service, and shipping themselves aboard a Sloop in the _West-Indies_, was taken by a Pyrate, and brought to _Providence_, and sailed upon the same Account along with Captain _England_.