Democratic Outlaws

 DEMOCRATIC OUTLAWS ?

Pirates, the outlaws of the sea. If like me, the first idea that comes to mind regarding

pirates is a group of raiding and plundering individuals. This is due to today's society glamorizing

the pirates as fascinating characters. Historically, not much written information has been left

behind. The pirates did not leave ship logs or accounts of plunders, because it could be used to

incriminate them. Society today has invented the pirates to fit a romantic mold. Therefore, we

grew up thinking of treasure hunts, sea battles, sword fights and plank walkers, when in actuality

the pirates of old were loathed by society. During the Golden Age of Piracy, during the 17th and

18th centuries, pirates were regarded as common criminals of the seas without thought to

democracy/justice or civility. In short, the pirates had no decency. However, is there some truth

to the glamorized legends? Could the legendary characters have upheld the same ideals? In the

course of the semester, we have learned some of the truths behind the glamorized pirate facade.

Throughout life I have seen that good is more often than not overshadowed by bad. I decided to

give these characters the benefit of the doubt and do some investigating. In this essay, I will

attempt to prove that human decency among the pirates could have existed.

Civility is one trait rarely associated with pirates. Why should civility be associated as a

trait of pirates? After all, pirates raid, plunder, steal, rape, drink and swear. Civilized people do

not participate in lowly, unlawful behavior. Pirates were know to be excessive drunks, ruthless

killers, indulgers of women and unruly individuals. In defense of pirate civility, I must point out

a few examples. Lord Byron's "The Corsair" is an excellent example of pirate decency. Conrad,

Byron's hero and captain of a pirate crew, shows remarkable civility for a pirate. While "The

Corsair" is a fictional work, many of the pirate tales, as in other fictional works, derive from

actual occurrences. While Conrad's crew is toasting spirts and carousing about, he remains

composed. "Ne'er for his lip the purplng cup they fill, That goblet passes him untasted still . . .

But while he shuns the grosser joys of sense, His mind seems nourished by that abstinence"

(Byron 152). Conrad does not overindulge and does not become unruly. Conrad does not kill

unnecessarily and when forced to kill, it is in defense. Conrad does not ravage women. He is

married but loves only one.

Jean Lafitte is a factual example of civility. Lafitte was a pirate masked in gentleman's

clothing. It is said, Lafitte hobb-knobbed with high society. The majority of the descriptions of

Lafitte portray him as well dressed, well mannered and well spoken, as a gentleman should be.

Lafitte was also a patriot playing a significant role in the Battle of New Orleans, in which he

received honors.

Democracy/Justice among the pirates is another unlikely topic to ponder when thinking of

pirates. How can outlaws be democratic or just? The pirates bluntly disregarded the law when

raiding and plundering. However, within the pirate community, was a democratic structure. The

community had its own way of government and enforcing justice. Life amongst the pirates in the

17th and 18th centuries was more democratic than those of most countries. Esquemeling's

Buccaneers of America, gives an account of pirate democracy. Each ship had a code they lived

by. The crew aboard a pirate vessel selected their captains by casting votes. Although the captain

is an elected position, the captain of the vessel was in complete control and was to be obeyed and

respected. However, if a captain loses the favor of his crew, mutiny occurs and he is voted out.

The replacement captain is then voted in usually coming from within crew. The quartermaster is

the chief authority save in battle. He acts as ship's magistrate for small offenses. Serious offenses

are tried before a pirate jury. In addition, the quartermaster served "as the trustee for the whole

ship's company" in Defoe's words, "for the captain can do nothing which the quartermaster does

not approve of . . . for he speaks for and looks after the interests of the company" (Mark 202).

Before