Introduction
Newport, Rhode Island was a safe haven for pirates during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, especially from the late 1600s to the early 1700s. This perhaps is surprising considering that Rhode Island was established by Puritans, but it is important to note that these Puritans were not as devout as the first generation that had settled the colonies. In fact, Rhode Island was a place where the non-traditional colonists’ could belong. Still, pirates were a part of the daily scenery in Newport, and many had melded their way into society. In order for one to understand the relationship that existed between the colonists’ and the pirates, one must simply understand the concept of supply and demand.
The first Navigation Act of 1652 not only inflated the prices of goods, but also taxed the colonies; this caused a need for quality goods at lower prices. With pirates bringing money into the harbor town of Newport. It was clear that Newport had more to gain by welcoming these unsavory individuals, than it had to loose. That being said, this was a reciprocal relationship, where even the disconcerting pirate gained loyalty, friendship, protection, and at times, a better social status. Thus, these two unlikely groups joined forces against a common enemy, the English Crown.
It is important to …show more content…
He also led Rhode Island in its first naval victory.” This alone was enough to solidify his role in Newport society; however, he did not stop there. In 1682, Paine received a commission to hunt pirates from the governor of Jamaica. Paine sailed his vessel, the Pearl, into Newport the summer of 1683; however, the Pearl was suspected of being an “unfreebottomed ship,” “a foreign vessel not allowed to trade in the colonies. Early Navigation Acts only allowed English vessels to trade within the colonies. This spelt trouble for
Newport, Rhode Island was a safe haven for pirates during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, especially from the late 1600s to the early 1700s. This perhaps is surprising considering that Rhode Island was established by Puritans, but it is important to note that these Puritans were not as devout as the first generation that had settled the colonies. In fact, Rhode Island was a place where the non-traditional colonists’ could belong. Still, pirates were a part of the daily scenery in Newport, and many had melded their way into society. In order for one to understand the relationship that existed between the colonists’ and the pirates, one must simply understand the concept of supply and demand.
The first Navigation Act of 1652 not only inflated the prices of goods, but also taxed the colonies; this caused a need for quality goods at lower prices. With pirates bringing money into the harbor town of Newport. It was clear that Newport had more to gain by welcoming these unsavory individuals, than it had to loose. That being said, this was a reciprocal relationship, where even the disconcerting pirate gained loyalty, friendship, protection, and at times, a better social status. Thus, these two unlikely groups joined forces against a common enemy, the English Crown.
It is important to …show more content…
He also led Rhode Island in its first naval victory.” This alone was enough to solidify his role in Newport society; however, he did not stop there. In 1682, Paine received a commission to hunt pirates from the governor of Jamaica. Paine sailed his vessel, the Pearl, into Newport the summer of 1683; however, the Pearl was suspected of being an “unfreebottomed ship,” “a foreign vessel not allowed to trade in the colonies. Early Navigation Acts only allowed English vessels to trade within the colonies. This spelt trouble for