In his passage to execution he pointed to the African House,[30] said, They have used me severely, but I pray God prosper and bless them in all their undertakings.

Mr. Nicholson, of St. Sepulchre’s, attended him in his last moments.  Just before he died he read the following speech to the people.

    Good People,

I beg of you to pray for my departing soul.  I likewise pray God to forgive all the evidences that swore against me, as I do from my heart.  I challenge all the world to say I ever did a dishonourable act or anything unlike a gentleman, but what might be common to all young fellows in this age.  This was surely a rash action, but I did not designedly turn pirate.  I am sorry for it, and I wish it were in my power to make amends to the Honourable African Company for what they have lost by my means.  I likewise declare upon the word of a dying man that I never once thought of molesting his Grace the Duke of Chandois, although it has been maliciously reported that I always went with two loaded pistols to dispatch his Grace.  As for the Duke, I was always, while living, devoted to his service, for his good offices done unto me, and I humbly beg Almighty God, that He would be pleased to pour down His blessings upon his good family.  Good people, once more I beg of you to pray for my departing soul.  I desire my dying words to be printed, as for the truth and sincerity of it, I sign them as a man departing this world.

    John Massey

After he had pronounced these words, he signified it as his last request that neither his wife, nor any of his relations might see his body after it was in the coffin.  Then praying a few moments to himself he submitted to his fate, being at the time of his death twenty-eight years old.  He suffered at high-water mark, Execution Dock, on the 26th of July, 1723, his unhappy death being universally pitied.

FOOTNOTES: 

   [29] This was Captain George Lowther, a redoubtable pirate.  A
        more complete Story of Massey’s adventures is given in Johnson’s
        History of the Pirates.

   [30] In Leadenhall Street, along which he would pass on the way
        to Wapping.

The Life of PHILIP ROCHE, a Pirate, etc.

As in the life of Captain Massey, my readers cannot but take notice of those great evils into which men are brought by over-forwardness and inconsideration, so in the life of the malefactor we are now to speak of, they will discern what a prodigious pitch of wickedness, rapine and cruelty, human nature is capable of reaching unto, when people abandon themselves to a desire of living after their own wicked inclinations, without considering the injuries they do others while they gratify their own lusts and sensual pleasures.