John Edward Titschke Alias Teache, Teachey, Thatch

John Edward Titschke

Alias Teache, Teachey, Thatch

The Pirate Blackbeard

By: Richard V. and Alice C. Hearne

New Bern, North Carolina

Copy (C) Rights

The Colonial Capital of North Carolina

ITS PALATINE HERITAGE

LORD, OUR ENEMY ARE EVIL TYRANTS WHOSE DESIRE IS TO DESTROY THE HUMBLE FLOCK AS SURLY AS SWARMS OF LOCUSTS FROM CREATION WOULD LAY SIEGE UPON US, DEVOURING THE RIPENED VINEYARD TO NAUGHT. THEY’LL SLAY US AS SURELY AS THE TORMENTED FIRE OF PURGATORY. THE ENEMY, DISPLEASED WITH THE RICHES OF PRODUCE REAPED FROM THE VINEYARDS, HAS CAUSED RUIN UPON OUR FAMILIES AND BOUNTIFULLY LAND. THEY’VE BLAZED OUR HOMES TO CINDERS, COVERING THE TERRESTRIAL CREATION WITH DUST REMNANTS, DEPRIVING US OF A SECURE SANCTUARY, TURNING US INTO OPEN FIELDS TO SEEK PROTECTION FROM THE INHUMAN ENVIRONMENT AND REPRESSIVE PERSECUTORS.

LORD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE MASSES TO THIS PRESENT CONDITION AND THRUST ALOFT OUR ARMS PRAYING TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD ABOVE FOR THE GRACE TO PROTECT THE FAMILIES. WE BESEECH YOUR DELIVERANCE OF OUR PEOPLE FROM THE TYRANT HEATHENS OF OPPRESSION. WE’RE KNEELING BEFORE YOU, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO HATH PROMISED US IN THE HOUR OF FEAR TO SUPPLICATE THE SUPREME ARCHITECT, BE OBEDIENT AND OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS AND SUFFER THE BODY AND SOUL IN LIFE AS IN DEATH, EVEN TO THE END OF TIME. WE, YOUR DISTRESSED PEOPLE, ARE OBEDIENT TO USE THE EARTH’S HEAVENLY CANOPY FOR BODILY PROTECTION, THE COLD EARTH AS THE PLACE FOR QUIETUDE AND REST. WE’RE FOLLOWING YOUR COMMANDMENTS LORD, SUPPLICATING THESE DISTRESSING EXPRESSIONS BEFORE YOU SUPREMELY, WHO’S PROMISED THY FAITHFUL RELIEF FROM THEIR OPPRESSIVE ENEMY. WE TAKE YOUR HAND LORD, PILOT US; WE TRUST YOUR PREEMINENCE AND BESEECH FREEDOM FROM THIS BANEFUL ENEMY.

THROUGH THEIR DEVOUT BELIEFS IN GOD, SOME OF THE PALATINES WERE FREED. THE DEMORALIZED PEOPLE BOARDED SMALL BOATS AND SCOWS, MEANDERING NORTHWARD ON THE RHINE RIVER IN THE DIRECTION OF ROTTERDAM IN THE PIERCING WINTER COLD WITHOUT EVEN THE BAREST ESSENTIALS. THEY ESCAPED THE TYRANNY AND OPPRESSION IN THEIR NATIVE LAND, REMAINING STEADFAST WITH THEIR LOVE, RESOLVE AND FAITH IN OUR ALMIGHTY GOD. MANY OF THEM HAD ALREADY EMBARKED UPON THE WATER OF THE RHINE RIVER IN VIOLATION OF THE EDICTS OF THE ELECTOR TO RETURN OR BE CAST OUT AND KILLED. BY TENS OF THOUSANDS THEY WENT FORWARD FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF THEIR CRUSADE FROM GERMANY'S PALATINATE. THEY WERE CORDIALLY RECEIVED INTO THE SYMPATHETIC LAND OF ENGLAND BY THE HUMANE QUEEN ANNE. AMONG THE MANY PALATINES TO RECEIVE PASSAGE INTO THE BRIGHT LAND OF ENGLAND WERE JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE AND JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL, ON THE SECOND DAY OF JUNE, 1709. THESE TWO MEN BY VIRTUE OF UNADULTERATED COINCIDENCE OR PERHAPS THEIR UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE DISCOVERED THEMSELVES IN DE-GRAFFENREID’S COLONY IN JUNE, 1710.

AFTER THE END OF THE TUSCARORA INDIAN WAR THE PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA WAS LEFT IN COMPLETE DISARRAY. THE DESOLATE COLONY WAS DEFICIENT IN EVERY ESSENTIAL RESOURCE. THE PROVINCE PLANTERS HAD LOST THEIR CROPS, THEIR CATTLE AND OTHER STOCK WAS KILLED, LEFT TO RUIN OR CONFISCATED BY THE WARRING TUSCARORA INDIANS FOR THEIR PERSONAL USE. NO FORM OF LAW OR MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT WAS ON HAND TO DEAL WITH THE WIDESPREAD FAILURES THAT PRECIPITATED UPON THE FRAGILE PROVINCE. THERE WAS NO ESTABLISHED HOUSE OF WORSHIP AVAILABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE GREAT PROVINCE NEEDS, LEAVING MANY DESTITUTE COLONISTS IN A DELICATE CONDITION. THEY WERE DISCOURAGED AND SCATTERED ALL ABOUT THE PROVINCE. THEY WERE IN URGENT NEED FOR THE ESSENTIALS OF LIFE IF THEY WERE TO SURVIVE IN THE NEW COUNTRY. THE PROVINCE’S FLIMSY GOVERNMENT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE MINIMUM ESSENTIALS; AND DUE TO THIS AUGUST CALAMITY, THE PROVINCE’S AWFUL POVERTY, ENTICED THE PERPETUATION OF PILLAGING FOR SURVIVAL IN NORTH CAROLINA. THIS EXTRAORDINARY SAD CIRCUMSTANCE SPAWNED THE BIRTH OF THE TAR HEEL STATE’S SUPPOSING MOST FEARED AND NOTORIOUS PIRATE CHARACTER, DISTINGUISHED IN THE PROVINCE AS BLACKBEARD.

JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE WAS HIS REAL NAME. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED CONFIRMATION OF JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE THROUGH COURT RECORDS RELATED TO HIS SON, EDWARD (DANIEL EDWARD-RVH) TITSCHKE. JOHN TITSCHKE, A GERMAN PALATINE EMIGRANT FROM BAVARIA, GERMANY WAS BORN IN 1679. HE RECORDED HIS AGE AS THIRTY YEARS IN THE JUNE 2, 1709, DEPARTURE RECORD WHEN HE WAS RECEIVED INTO THE FAIR LAND OF ENGLAND. TITSCHKE WAS WITH WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN, A SON AGE FOUR AND A DAUGHTER, AGE ONE YEAR. IN JANUARY OF 1710, TITSCHKE EMBARKED ENGLAND WITH THE FIRST GROUP OF GERMAN PALATINES CROSSING THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, ACCOMPANIED BY A GENTLEMAN, JOHN LAWSON. THEY ARRIVED UPON AMERICA’S SHORE AT JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. DE GRAFFENREID’S HEROIC COLONY WHICH ESTABLISHED THE TOWN OF NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA WAS ORIGINALLY PREDOMINATELY INHABITED BY GERMAN PALATINE COLONISTS.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH A RECORD FOR TITSCHKE’S WIFE, THE NAME JEAN TITMAN, AND IT APPEARED IN CHOWAN COUNTY COURT PETITIONING THE COURT FOR THE RETURN OF HER SON EDWARD TITMAN (TITSCHKE). EDWARD TITMAN (TITSCHKE) WAS THE ELDEST SON OF JOHN EDWARD AND JEAN TITSCHKE, WHO WAS BOUND, AT THE TIME, TO WILLIAM BRANCH, ESQ. OF CHOWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, DEED BOOK 1- (W), PAGES 108, APRIL COURT, 1711 AD. THE RECORDS FURTHER ESTABLISHED, JEAN TITSCHKE HAD BEEN DISASSOCIATED FROM BLACKBEARD AND WAS THEN THE WIFE OF WILLIAM MICHAEL DAWES (DAW, DAWS). DAWES LEFT HIS WILL IN CHOWAN COUNTY, N. C., DATED JULY 21, 1719. RECORDS WERE ESTABLISHED FOR THE TWO CHILDREN OF TITSCHKE, THE SON WAS DANIEL EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHEY, TEACHE, TEACHIE, TETCHEY, AND TEACH WITH OTHER VARIATIONS). DANIEL EDWARD TITSCHKE WOULD MARRY ANN GIESSIEBEL, THE DAUGHTER OF JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL WHO WAS ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE EMBARKATION RECORD. JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL CROSSED THE GREAT NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN WITH THE SAME GROUP THAT JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE HAD TRAVELED WITH TO THE NEW COUNTRY. RECORDS WERE ALSO ESTABLISHED FOR GIESSIEBEL IN THE COLONY. THE DAUGHTER OF JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE WAS NAMED MARGET TITSCHKE, (MANY VARIATIONS OF SPELLING); SHE WOULD MARRY THE SON OF JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL, SR., JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL, JR., WHO WAS BORN AFTER THEIR DEPARTURE FROM EUROPE TO THE NEW COUNTRY. JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL, II WAS THE ONLY LIVING MALE HEIR OF HIS FATHER, WHO SIGNED THE PALATINE PETITION. THE FIRST JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL LEFT HIS WILL IN CRAVEN COUNTY, N. C., 1727, (SEE KISSABEL). NO NAME WAS EVER ESTABLISHED FOR THE WIFE OF JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL, SR.; RECORDS INDICATE SHE WAS LIVING WHEN HE DIED, 1727. A SECOND DAUGHTER WAS NAMED IN THE GIESSIEBEL WILL, MARY FRONA (FRONEY, FRONEA) GIESSIEBEL, WHO FIRST MARRIED PETER JACOB RUHL (REEL); HER SECOND MARRIAGE WAS TO THOMAS FISHER, THE SON OF JOHN RANDOLPH FISHER. PETER REEL AND JOHN RANDOLPH FISHER WERE GERMAN PALATINE REFUGEES WHO WERE EXPLICITLY ENUMERATED IN DE-GRAFFENREID’S COLONY. THEY ALSO APPEARED ON THE LIST OF PALATINE PASSENGERS ARRIVING IN ENGLAND, JUNE 2, 1709. THEY TOO, WERE FLEEING THE TYRANNY AND OPPRESSION THAT WAS CONSUMING THEIR NATIVE LAND, THE RHINE RIVER’S UPPER AND LOWER PALATINATE OR PFLAZ OF GERMANY.

EDWARD TITSCHKE WAS REPORTEDLY THE MOST DESPICABLE BUCCANEER EVER RECORDED IN THE ANNALS OF THE STATE’S HISTORY; HOWEVER, TITSCHKE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCLAIMED AS AN OUTGROWTH FASHIONED FROM THE SUFFERING ENDURED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE LITTLE GERMAN COLONY. TITSCHKE WAS A GENTLEMAN PIRATE WHO LOVED HIS PEOPLE. HE FELT THE REAL PAIN THEY HAD ENDURED SINCE THEIR ARRIVAL AT JAMES TOWN. HE WITNESSED THEIR POVERTY, HUNGER AND DEJECTION WITH A TRUE REALIZATION OF THEIR INDUCED PLIGHT. TITSCHKE MOVED WITHOUT ENCUMBRANCE AROUND AND THROUGH THE PROVINCE, GIVING COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE TO THE PALATINES, FEARING NOT FOR HIS OWN LIFE, INSTEAD EMPLOYING ATTENTION AND AFFECTION TO HIS BELOVED PEOPLE AND HE WAS ACCEPTED BY ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE PROVINCE, AS WELL AS BY THE MANY POLITICIANS. HIS FREE MOVEMENT EVERYWHERE GAVE AN APPEARANCE AS THOUGH HE WAS NOT VULNERABLE TO THE PURPORTED REPUTATION AS CHARACTERIZED BY MOST OF THE STATE’S HISTORIANS. TITSCHKE WAS THEIR FRIEND AND COMFORTER, NOT THEIR ENEMY. COULD TITSCHKE HAVE BEEN AS BAD AS HISTORY HAS PORTRAYED HIM, PROBABLY NOT; HOWEVER, TITSCHKE WAS ENGAGED IN A PROFESSION IN WHICH A COWARD SHOULD NOT BE INCLINED TO BECOME ENGAGED. MOST HISTORIANS HAVE RECREATED TITSCHKE’S LEGACY PORTRAYING THAT KIND OF PERSON. THIS DESCRIPTION PROBABLY IMPROVED THE SUBSTANCE OF THE WRITINGS, AS GOOD READING MATERIAL; HOWEVER, IN REALITY WE ONLY HAVE THE PRESERVED HISTORICAL RECORD WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EARLY SPECULATION OF ONE EARLY ENGLISH NOVELIST.

TRADITIONAL ACCOUNTS OF TITSCHKE BY SOME HISTORY SCHOLARS ASSERT THE IMPRESSION THAT ONE COULD INTERPRET WITH SOUND ARGUMENT, SUPPORTED BY KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PIRATE TITSCHKE WAS A GOOD MAN; NOT THE BRUTAL HEARTLESS PIRATE WHO DEALT PRIMARILY IN DEATH AND MERE RAVENING. IT IS INCONCEIVABLE TO BELIEVE THAT ONE COULD HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN RAVAGING WITHOUT RETENTION OF ABOMINATION, AVOWED WITH ANGER OR MALICIOUS PURPOSE EMBEDDED IN THEIR HEART. PIRATES HAD TO BE CAPABLE OF INSTILLING FEAR IN THEIR PREY; ENABLING THEM TO TRIUMPH OVER THEIR ADVERSARIES TO FULFILL THEIR PIRACY MISSIONS.

EDWARD TITSCHKE’S PRIMARY ENGAGEMENT WAS A MISSION FOR MANKIND. THE FUTURE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE DEPENDED UPON HIS SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE. HE HAD TO PREVAIL OVER HIS ADVERSARIES AND TO BE FEARED AS THE GREATEST, MEANEST PIRATE TO EVER SAIL THE SEAS WERE HIS PERSONIFIED OVERTURE, AN IMAGE TO SOFTEN HIS PREY. THIS FEARLESS STANCE WAS TITSCHKE’S GREATEST ASSET TO PREVAIL IN VICTORY OVER HIS ADVERSARIES. JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE MET ALL THE QUALIFICATION OF BECOMING A FEARED AND FIERCE CHALLENGER, HAVING SURVIVED THE ENDLESS RELIGIOUS WARS IN THE PALATINATE OF GERMANY. TITSCHKE WAS PERSONALLY ENDOWED WITH A TREMENDOUSLY LARGE PHYSIQUE WHICH WAS ENOUGH TO REDUCE MOST OF HIS ADVERSARIES TO SURRENDER TO HIM WILLINGLY RATHER THAN PURSUE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PIRATE. TITSCHKE’S TRADITIONAL ALIGNED ENVIRONMENT FROM HIS YOUTH, FORMED VALUES OF LIFE WITH PURPOSE, TRANSFORMING THE PIRATE, TITSCHKE, TO BECOME A SEASONED COMPETITOR FOR BEING THE VERY BEST PIRATE. THE PALATINE PEOPLE THEN WERE SACRIFICED TO THE RAVAGES OF THE TUSCARORA INDIAN WAR AND DESERTED IN IT’S DEFILING AFTERMATH BY DE GRAFFENREID. HE LIVED THE PITIFUL PLIGHT OF HIS OWN LIFE, AS WELL AS WITNESSING THE PITIFUL LIVELIHOOD ENDURED BY HIS OWN CHILDREN. ALL OF THIS TRANSFORMED AND LAUNCHED BLACKBEARD’S MISSION TO DIGNIFY THE PALATINE PEOPLE WHO HAD SURVIVED THE CROSSING OF THE GREAT NORTH ATLANTIC IN THE FIERCE WINTER OF 1709-1710. TITSCHKE’S LIFE WAS ENDOWED WITH A TRUE REALIZATION OF HIS PAST LIFE. THOSE MEMORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES INSPIRED TITSCHKE TO BECOME THE STATE’S INFAMOUS BLACKBEARD. TITSCHKE’S MISSION AS A BUCCANEER WAS TO GIVE SURETY FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE GERMAN PALATINE PEOPLE, WHOSE SURVIVAL BECAME TITSCHKE’S MAIN ASPIRATION, GUIDING THE PIRATE’S NOBEL HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS, AS WELL AS, THE HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE INHUMANE PIRATE ACTIVITIES IN HIS BENEVOLENT ROLE AS A PIRATE.

EDWARD TITSCHKE WAS RECORDED IN HISTORY AS BEING A FIERCE COMPETITOR, A PERSON WITH A VICIOUS TENACITY. TITSCHKE WAS PERSONALLY ENDOWED WITH THE CUNNING ABILITY TO FINESSE ANY POTENTIAL PREY TO SURRENDER, GIVING OVER THEIR COMMERCE OR BOOTY MORE WILLINGLY THAN FACE ENCOUNTER WITH THE PIRATE. BLACKBEARD WAS NOT AFTER BLOOD, GOLD OR SILVER; INSTEAD, HE WAS AFTER FOOD TO FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHING TO CLAD THE PROVINCE’S POOR AND MEDICINES TO DEAL WITH THE WEAK, SICKLY INHABITANTS OF THE LITTLE FRAGILE COLONY.

EDWARD TITSCHKE HAD ACQUIRED A SMALL FLOTILLA CAPABLE OF MANAGING THE WATERY ENVIRONS OF HIS PIRACY VENUE. TO BEGIN HIS DEEDS OF PIRACY TITSCHKE FIRST ACQUIRED SMALL CANOE-LIKE BOATS WHICH HE ATTACHED TOGETHER, PLACING THE HULLS SIDE BY SIDE. THE IMPROVISED CRAFT TITSCHKE CONSTRUCTED RESEMBLING THE RACING CATAMARAN OF TODAY. THE VESSEL TITSCHKE CONSTRUCTED HOUSED A LARGE CARGO BAY NESTLED NEATLY BETWEEN THE TWO HULLS. TITSCHKE THEN INSTALLED A RUDDER AND OAR SYSTEM WHICH WAS USED FOR SWIFT DEPARTURES. TITSCHKE’S MODIFIED CRAFT ALSO INCLUDED A DERRICK RIG CENTERED IN THE CARGO BAY ENABLING TITSCHKE TO HOIST A SAIL CLOTH, FOR MAKING QUICK DEPARTURES WITH A VESSEL THAT WAS MUCH FASTER THAN ANY OTHER VESSEL IN THIS PERIOD OF HISTORY. THE SPEEDY CRAFT TITSCHKE BUILT ENABLED THE PIRATE TO COMMIT PIRACY ACTS, AND THEN, HE QUICKLY VANISHED INTO THE SHALLOW WATER INSIDE THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA. TITSCHKE’S VESSEL COULD OUT RUN ANY CRAFT IN PURSUANCE OF HIS VESSEL WITH EASE. THE CRAFT IS DESCRIBED IN HISTORIC ACCOUNTS AS HAVING A SHALLOW DRAFT ENABLING QUICK MANEUVERABILITY AND GIVING TITSCHKE THE COMFORT OF DASHING IN AND OUT OF THE SHALLOW CREEKS AND STREAMS IN THE VAST MAGNITUDE OF NORTH CAROLINA’S WATERWAYS WITH ITS MANY NOOKS AND CRANNIES. EDWARD TITSCHKE, BECAME A BLACKSMITH (REF: DE GRAFFENREID) AND HAD THE COMPETENCE TO BUILD HIS OWN CRAFTS TO BEGIN HIS MERCIFUL MISSIONS OF COMPASSION FOR THE VICTIMS OF MISFORTUNE. THE CANOE VESSEL WAS KNOWN AS A PERRIAUGER, A CANOE-LIKE CRAFT HOLLOWED AND HEWED FROM LARGE TREES. THE PERRIAUGER FIRST APPEARED IN THE WEST INDIES AND WAS SOON INTRODUCED INTO THE NEW AMERICAS COUNTRY. TITSCHKE’S MODIFIED PERRIAUGER BECAME AN EXTREMELY CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT WATER CRAFT FOR CARRYING OUT HIS EARLY ENDEAVORS OF PIRACY. ONCE INSIDE THE OUTER BANKS, TITSCHKE’S SAFE HAVEN, THE PIRATE WOULD NEGOTIATE HIS GENEROUS DEEDS OF CARING; BEING ROBIN HOOD TO HIS CHERISHED PALATINE PEOPLE. HISTORY RECORDS THIS TYPE VESSEL AS HAVING BEEN USED IN TITSCHKE’S EARLY PILLAGING OF EASTERN CAROLINA’S WATERWAYS (REFERENCE: N. C. HISTORY-THE PILLAGE OF WM. BELL).

TITSCHKE PROBABLY ACQUIRED THE TWO ORIGINAL PERRIAUGERS FROM LOWER TIDE WATER VIRGINIA. THE PERRIAUGER CRAFT WAS WIDELY USED IN THAT AREA. THE PERRIAUGER CRAFTS WERE PLENTIFUL AND USED FOR CASUAL TRAVEL AND COMMERCE THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE. EDWARD TITSCHKE, FROM THIS SOBER ORIGIN, WOULD EVENTUALLY BUILD A FLOTILLA OF VESSELS ENABLING TITSCHKE TO ENGAGE IN THE SUBLIME DEGREE OF PIRACY.

EDWARD TITSCHKE WOULD EVENTUALLY OPERATE A FLOTILLA OF SLOOPS, ALL OF THEM REAPED FROM THE SPOIL OF PIRACY. TITSCHKE’S MOST PRIZED VESSEL WAS HIS PROFOUNDLY BELOVED FLAGSHIP, "REVENGE". THE CHRONICLES HAVE RECORDED THE VESSEL "REVENGE" WAS A COURTESY TO TITSCHKE BY A RETIRING ASSOCIATE IN THE PIRACY TRADE. JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE RENAMED THE VESSEL, ADDING AN APPROPRIATE ADD-ON TO HER NAME, "QUEEN ANNE’S", THUS GIVING THE PRIDED GRATUITY A NEW NAME, "QUEEN ANNE’S REVENGE". THE LADY BECAME BLACKBEARD’S FLAGSHIP AND THE NAME OF HIS LAUDABLE FLAGSHIP WAS SYNONYMOUS WITH THE PLIGHT OF THE PALATINE PEOPLE WHO FOUNDED NEW BERN. SHE REPRESENTED THE PENTACLE OF TITSCHKE’S MERCIFUL MISSIONS, HIS MANY ADVENTUROUS, REWARDING EXCURSIONS UPON THE HIGH SEAS. TODAY, THE LEGACY OF TITSCHKE LIVES ON THROUGH THE CURRENT PILLAGING OF HIS WELL-KNOWN AND PRIDED FLAGSHIP SUBMERGED IN BEAUFORT INLET, TRULY CONFIRMING MAN’S VORACIOUSNESS LIVES ON TODAY.

EDWARD TITSCHKE SURRENDERED TO GOVERNOR EDEN UNDER AN ACT OF THE CROWN’S PARDONING BOARD. HE WAS THRILLED BY THE FRIENDLY RECEPTION GIVEN HIM BY THE STATE’S CHIEF EXECUTIVES, GOVERNOR EDEN AND THE STATE’S CHIEF JUSTICE, TOBIAS KNIGHT. TITSCHKE’S SURRENDER WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SPECIFIC PARDON DECLARATION MANDATE ISSUED BY THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IN THEIR FUTILE EFFORT TO END PIRACY IN THE PROVINCE. THE CROWN’S PARDON DECLARATION WAS AVAILABLE TO ALL PIRATES WHO WOULD SURRENDER TO THE PROVINCE’S GOVERNMENT. THE PIRATES WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE AN ORAL OATH TO CEASE PIRACY ENDEAVORS; IN RETURN THEY WERE GIVEN CLEMENCY FOR ALL FORMER CRIMES OF PIRACY, PROVIDING THEY AGREED TO TERMINATE PIRATING IN THE REMOTE PROVINCE.

TITSCHKE’S FAVORITE PORT, AFTER RECEIVING THE CROWN’S PARDON, WAS BATH TOWN, BUT HIS FAVORITE ANCHORAGE HIDE-A-WAY WAS LOCATED JUST WEST OF OCRACOKE INLET, A PLACE KNOWN AS "TITSCHKE’S HOLE" (MOSELEY’S MAP DENOTES THATCH’S HOLE). IT WAS FROM THIS REMOTE LOCATION TITSCHKE HAD INITIATED MOST OF HIS PIRACY MISSIONS. HIS MOORING IN BATH TOWN WAS IN FULL VIEW OF THE PROVINCE GOVERNOR AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. TITSCHKE AND HIS FOLLOWERS WERE CONTENT WITH THE GRACE OF THE CROWN’S PARDON AND HE ENJOYED FOND ASSOCIATION WITH STATE OFFICIALS AND THE PEOPLE IN THE PROVINCE. JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE WOULD TAKE A NEW WIFE, THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF A RESPECTABLE PUBLIC SERVANT FROM THE TOWN OF QUEEN ANNE’S, (BATH, NORTH CAROLINA) BY THE NAME OF MARY ORMOND, THE DAUGHTER OF WYRIOTT ORMOND. THE GOVERNOR, CHARLES EDEN, WOULD PERSONALLY ADMINISTER THEIR MATRIMONIAL VOWS. TO THIS UNION OF MARRIAGE A SON WAS CONCEIVED AND GIVEN THE NAME OF JOHN THATCH. THE NAME THATCH WAS THE SURNAME LABELED THE PIRATE TITSCHKE BY EDWARD MOSELEY, PARTY TO THOSE CONSPIRING TO KILL THE PIRATE, TITSCHKE.

JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE WOULD ENGAGE IN NUMEROUS RAIDS BETWEEN THE AMERICAN CONTINENT AND THE WEST INDIES; HOWEVER, MOST OF TITSCHKE’S DEEDS OF MARAUDING WERE DONE IN FULL VIEW OF THE STATE’S SHORELINE; INSIDE OF THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS CONTRARY TO HIS WORLDWIDE REPUTATION. TITSCHKE BECAME WELL-ACQUAINTED WITH THE PROVINCE’S COASTAL WATERS, SCRUTINIZING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE COMMERCE VESSELS ELUDING THE CROWN’S NEW TAX COLLECTION OR FEE STATIONS SITUATED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE PROVINCE. THOSE VESSELS AVOIDING THE TAX COLLECTOR WOULD BECOME TITSCHKE’S PRIMARY AND MOST LUCRATIVE PREY; AS IF WITH A WELL COORDINATED UNDERTAKING. THE CAPTAINS EVADING THE TAX COLLECTOR WERE DUMBFOUNDED WITH TITSCHKE’S VICIOUS TENACITY. THE SPEEDY CRAFT, THE PERRIARGER, ENABLED TITSCHKE TO WEDGE THE LARGER VESSELS AGAINST THE SAND BANKS OF THE OUTER OR INNER SHORELINES LEAVING THEIR VESSELS DISORGANIZED, UNDULATING AND HELPLESS, ADVANTAGEOUS PROSPECT FOR PLUNDERING. THE METHOD OF EMPLOYING THIS SCHEME WOULD COMPEL MOST VESSELS TO SURRENDER WITHOUT A FIGHT OR EVEN A VOLLEY FIRED, EXCEPT OCCASIONALLY WHEN TITSCHKE HAD TO GET THEIR FULL ATTENTION. THE LARGER VESSELS THWARTED AGAINST THE SAND IMPEDIMENT WOULD REMAIN THERE, CRIPPLED WHILE AWAITING A HIGHER TIDE TO FREE THEIR PARTIALLY SUNKEN, ROLLING AND LISTING VESSEL.

THE SPEEDY PERRIARGER COULD CARRY A LARGE PAYLOAD INTO THE SHALLOW WATERS WITHOUT EVER BEARING FEAR OF TRAIL OR CAPTURE. IN AUGUST OF 1718, GOVERNOR EDEN WOULD CARRY OUT THE PRIVILEGE OF FORGIVENESS TO TITSCHKE AND HIS CREW IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS MANDATED IN A PROCLAMATION FROM THE ENGLISH CROWN. THE PROCLAMATION DECREE WAS A FRUITLESS EFFORT TO END PIRACY IN THE PROVINCE AND TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) ACCEPTED THE COMMONWEALTH’S TERMS FOR GRACE AND RECEIVED THE PARDON FROM THE GOOD GOVERNOR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ENGLISH CROWN. TITSCHKE’S PARDON FOR PIRACY CRIMES OFFERED HIM CLEMENCY FOR ALL PAST PIRACY DEEDS, BUT IT ALSO PROVIDED A DISGUISE OF TRUE FREEDOM WHICH WOULD COST TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) AND MOST OF HIS CREW THEIR LIVES. HISTORIANS HAVE HYPOTHESIZED; MANY INSISTING THE ACT OF CONVEYING THE CLEMENCY EXTENDED TO THE PRIVATEER TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) WAS MERELY AN ACT OF PURE DECEPTION ON THE PART OF THE ENGLISH CROWN.

THE HIGH COURT WAS CONVENED TO ADMINISTER CLEMENCY TO TITSCHKE AND HIS CREW, CONDUCTED BY THE PROVINCE’S CHIEF JUSTICE, TOBIAS KNIGHT. IT WAS DURING THIS PRECEDING TITSCHKE’S VESSEL "ADVENTURE" BECAME SUSPECTED OF BEING USED FOR PLUNDERING, AND MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN AN ACT OF PIRACY; HOWEVER, CHIEF JUSTICE, TOBIAS KNIGHT ALLOWED TITSCHKE TO RETAIN LAWFUL OWNERSHIP OF THE SLOOP "ADVENTURE".

THE LATE SUMMER OF 1718, HISTORIC ACCOUNTS PROPOSE THAT TITSCHKE OUTFITTED THE SLOOP "ADVENTURE" WITH FULL ARMOR AND PREPARED THE SLOOP FOR HOSTILE ENGAGEMENT. IT WAS FURTHER ALLEGED THAT TITSCHKE AND HIS CREW SAILED "ADVENTURE" BACK TO OPEN SEA, WHEREUPON TITSCHKE’S "ADVENTURE" WAS AFTERWARD ACCUSED OF PLUNDERING A FRENCH MERCHANT VESSEL ON THE HIGH SEA.

VIRGINIAN AUTHORITIES, LEARNING OF THE ALLEGED INCIDENT OF TITSCHKE’S CREW COMMANDEERING AND PLUNDERING THE FRENCH VESSEL, BECAME CONCERNED. THE PROPOSED INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER TITSCHKE HAD RECOGNIZED AND ACCEPTED THE ENGLISH CROWN’S TERMS FOR A PARDON FOR PIRATING IN CAROLINA PROVINCE. HISTORY FURTHER RECORDED (SPOTSWOOD ACCOUNT) EDWARD TITSCHKE TOWED THE CRAFT INTO CAROLINA PROVINCE WATERS WHERE HE LOOTED HER AND SET THE VESSEL AFIRE. VIRGINIAN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES WERE COMPLAINING THAT TITSCHKE HAD VIOLATED THE OATH OF HIS CLEMENCY. THE STATE’S CHIEF JUSTICE WAS PURPORTED TO HAVE CONVENED ANOTHER COURT HEARING TO HEAR THE VIRGINIANS COMPLAINT. THEY FURTHER ALLEGED THE PROVINCE’S CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT ACCEPTED FOR THE CHRONICLE THE TESTIMONY OF TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) ALONE. VIRGINIAN AUTHORITIES FURTHER ALLEGED THAT TITSCHKE’S TESTIMONY, "THE VESSEL WAS FOUND STRAYING WITHOUT PAPERS OR CREW WAS ERRONEOUS". HISTORY FURTHER RECORDED IN THE KNIGHT TESTIMONY BEFORE NORTH CAROLINA’S COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE THE CHARGES FROM VIRGINIA THAT CHIEF JUSTICE, TOBIAS KNIGHT, NEVER CONVENED A HIGH COURT HEARING ON A SECOND OCCASION IN THE MATTER OF TITSCHKE’S VIOLATION OF HIS OATH OF CLEMENCY. THE PIRATE EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) WAS ACCORDINGLY, BY LAW AND DECREE, STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL PARDON ADMINISTERED BY THE GOOD OFFICE OF GOVERNOR EDEN AND CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE ENGLISH CROWN.

THE COMPLAINT FROM VIRGINIAN AUTHORITIES WAS A SMOKE SCREEN TO DEFLECT THE VILLAINOUS CONSPIRACY TO KILL THE PIRATE, JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH). HISTORY FURTHER RECORDED THAT GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD OF VIRGINIA, WAS SAID TO BE DISTRESSED ABOUT THE EXTENT OF PIRACY IN CAROLINA PROVINCE AND BECAUSE OF CAROLINA’S CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE VIRGINIAN PROVINCE WATERS, SPOTSWOOD WAS GRAVELY CONCERNED. GOVERNOR ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD CONTRIVED A SCHEME TO ASSASSINATE EDWARD TITSCHKE, THE PIRATE, WHETHER OR NOT HE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT SUCH A SHAMEFUL EVENT.

GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD DEVISED AND KEPT A SECRET PLAN TO DO AWAY WITH TITSCHKE, ONCE AND FOR ALL. HISTORY RECORDED THAT THIS CLANDESTINE ACTION WOULD BRING AN END TO SPOTSWOOD’S FEAR OF TITSCHKE’S PIRATING SO CLOSE TO THE VIRGINIANS WATERS. SPOTSWOOD WAS SUPPORTED BY TWO SUBVERSIVE CAROLINIANS, COLONELS EDWARD MOSELEY AND MAURICE MOORE WHO ASSISTED THE VIRGINIAN GOVERNOR IN HIS VICIOUS SCHEME. COLONELS EDWARD MOSELEY AND MOORE WERE TO PERPETRATE DEFIANT ACTIONS AGAINST CAROLINA PROVINCE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SIMULTANEOUSLY, DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE COZY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROVINCE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND EDWARD TITSCHKE. GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD OF VIRGINIA ORDERED TWO ROYAL SLOOPS BE OUTFITTED, READIED FOR HOSTILE ENGAGEMENT AND TWO SLOOP PILOTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA BE HIRED TO NAVIGATE THE SLOOPS FROM VIRGINIA TO NORTH CAROLINA. THE SLOOP’S CAPTAINS WERE TO BE THE BEST AND PROFESSIONALS, WELL VERSED, AND EXPERIENCED SEA CAPTAINS COMPLETE WITH EXPERIENCED CREWS WHO WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE ADVERSE, TREACHEROUS WATERS THEY WOULD HAVE TO VENTURE THROUGH TO ENTER PROVINCE WATERS AT OCRACOKE ISLAND.

GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD HAD ALSO SENT OUT IN ADVANCE CAPTAIN ELLIS BRAND, WHO COMMANDED THE VENTURE TO KILL TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH), OF THE BRITISH ROYAL NAVY ON HORSEBACK IN THE DIRECTION OF BATH TOWN, NORTH CAROLINA, TO INTERCEPT TITSCHKE AND CAPTURE THE PIRATE SHOULD HE BE LOCATED ASHORE IN BATH TOWN. SPOTSWOOD HAD CAREFULLY AND SECRETLY COORDINATED THE ILL CONCEIVED MISSION WITH ONLY THOSE INVOLVED IN HIS MALICIOUS CONSPIRACY: THE TWO SLOOPS IN ROUTE TO OCRACOKE INLET, NAVAL CAPTAIN BRAND WHO WAS TO BE JOINED BY THE TWO DISREPUTABLE CAROLINIANS, COLONELS EDWARD MOSELEY AND MAURICE MOORE. WHEN CAPTAIN BRAND ARRIVED AT THE PROVINCE BOUNDARY OF NORTH CAROLINA, HE MET AND JOINED COLONELS MOSELEY AND MOORE WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY CONFIRMED THEIR PART IN THE SCHEME WITH GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD OF VIRGINIA, TO KILL THE GERMAN PRINCE KNOWN AS BLACKBEARD.

IN THE FORENOON HOUR OF NOVEMBER 23, 1718, CAPTAIN BRAND, WITH COLONELS MOSELEY AND MOORE ARRIVED IN BATH TOWN, QUESTIONING THE WHEREABOUTS OF EDWARD TITSCHKE. THE THREE MILITIA MEN WERE ASSURED THAT HE WAS NOT IN BATH TOWN AT THE TIME BUT THEY HAD REASON TO EXPECT THE PIRATE TO VISIT AT ANY TIME.

THE ENTIRE WORLD WAS UNSUSPECTING OF THE UNFOLDED EVENTS TOLD BY OCRACOKE ISLAND’S ROOSTERS THE PREVIOUS MORNING AT TITSCHKE’S (THATCH’S) HOLE, LOCATED JUST WEST OF OCRACOKE INLET. THE BRITISH SLOOPS THAT EMBARKED FROM THE TIDEWATER OF VIRGINIA FOUND FAVORABLE WINDS AND HAD MADE GOOD TIME TO OCRACOKE INLET, NORTH CAROLINA. THEY HAD SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATED ENTRY INTO THE INLET WATERWAY AT WHICH TIME THEY STEADIED THEIR BEARINGS WESTWARD. THE CREWS SHOUTED TO THEIR CAPTAINS, THEY HAD SIGHTED TITSCHKE’S "ADVENTURE", SECURED JUST OFF OCRACOKE ISLAND’S INLET AT TITSCHKE’S (THATCH’S) HOLE. THE TWO CONTEMPTIBLE VESSELS WERE NOT OBSERVED BY TITSCHKE OR ANY OF HIS CREW. THE TIME BEING FOUR HOURS AFTER MERIDIAN, IT WAS THE EVE OF NIGHTTIME. THE TWO BRITISH SLOOPS DROPPED THEIR SAIL CLOTH GETTING OUT OF VISUAL SIGHT OF TITSCHKE’S SLOOP "ADVENTURE", DROPPING THEIR ANCHORS FOR THE NIGHT TO MAKE THE NEEDED PREPARATIONS FOR THE ENSUING STRUGGLE ANTICIPATED AT FIRST LIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING MORNING. TITSCHKE AND ALL OF HIS CREW WERE COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THE TWO VESSELS CRUEL DESIGNS. THE PIRATE, EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH), FEELING SECURE AND CONTENT UNDER THE GRACE OF THE KINGS PARDON WAS NOT SUSPECTING OF ANY ATTEMPTS TO TAKE HIM OR HIS CREW’S LIVES. TITSCHKE’S "ADVENTURE" WAS LEFT UNSECURED THE NIGHT BEFORE THEIR SLAUGHTER. MOST OF THE CREW AND MATES WERE SLEEPING BELOW IN THEIR COZY QUARTERS, LEAVING AN UNATTENDED DECK AND EMPTY CROW’S NEST.

WITH THE FIRST LIGHT OF DAY ON NOVEMBER 22, 1718, THE BRITISH SLOOPS ADVANCED TOWARD THE "ADVENTURE" FROM THE NORTH AND EAST FINDING TITSCHKE’S SLOOP COMPLETELY UNSECURED. THE CAPTAIN AND MATES ON BOARD "ADVENTURE" WERE SLEEPING WHEN THE SLOOP "ADVENTURE" WAS UNEXPECTEDLY BOARDED. THE BRITISH ROYAL SOLDIERS, WHO HAD BEEN CONCEALED BELOW THE DECK OF THE TWO BRITISH ROYAL SLOOPS, CRAWLED FROM THEIR HIDING IN THE SLOOP BILGE THAT HOUSED THEM. THE SOLDIERS MUSTERED ON THE DECKS OF THE ROYAL SLOOPS PREPARING QUIETLY AND WITH RAPIDITY. THE SLOOPS ADVANCED DRAWING EVER CLOSER TO TITSCHKE’S ILL FATED SLOOP, "ADVENTURE". THE TWO EXPERIENCED CAROLINIAN CAPTAINS, TAKING EVERY ADVANTAGE AMID THE CRESTING HIGH TIDE, APPROACHED "ADVENTURE" SLOWLY, QUIETLY FROM THE NORTHEAST MEETING NO RESISTANCE UPON BOARDING "ADVENTURE" TO THEIR UTMOST SURPRISE. THE PIRATE TITSCHKE AND HIS CREW WERE UNAWARE OF THE ILL BOARDING OF "ADVENTURE". THE ACTION OF LT. MAYNARD, UNDER THE GUISE OF CHICANERY AND THE SKILLFUL DESIGN OF VIRGINIAN GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD WOULD PREFACE A CELEBRATION OF DISTINCT SEAFARER CEREMONY, AFTER SLAYING THE PIRATE, TITSCHKE AND MANY OF HIS LOYAL CREW MEMBERS. THE CELEBRATION CONTINUED IN TRADITIONAL VICTORIOUS CUSTOM WITH THE DECAPITATION OF THE FAMED PIRATE, BLACKBEARD, ALIAS JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE, TEACHE, THATCH.

LT. MAYNARD AND MATES ON BOARD THE "RANGER" TOOK THE LIVES OF EDWARD TITSCHKE AND OVER HALF OF THE PIRATE’S CREW WHICH CONSISTED OF THIRTEEN WHITE MEN AND SIX BLACK MEN, FREE AND TRUSTWORTHY MEN OF COLOR, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE GERMAN PRINCE, WHO HAD BEEN SOUGHT FIRST, RECEIVED NO LESS THAN FIVE BODY PIERCING LEAD BALLS WOUNDS TO HIS UPPER BODY WHILE HE SLEPT. TITSCHKE ALSO SUFFERED MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS TO HIS UPPER BODY. THE GERMAN PRINCE WAS DEAD, LIFELESS, THE VICTIM OF COWARDS AND CONSPIRATORS WHILE HE AND HIS ENTIRE CREW REMAINED UNDER A MANTLE OF HIS MAJESTY’S PARDON AND CLEMENCY FOR ALL PIRACY CRIMES PREVIOUSLY PERPETRATED.

IN THE MEANTIME, GOVERNOR EDEN HAD INQUIRED AS TO WHY CAPTAIN BRAND HAD ARRIVED IN BATH TOWN. CAPTAIN BRAND INFORMED THE GOOD GOVERNOR, HE HAD COME TO BATH TOWN TO TAKE EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) INTO CHARGE AND TAKE THE PIRATE TO VIRGINIA TO STAND TRIAL FOR PIRACY. THE GOOD GOVERNOR COOPERATED WHOLLY WITH CAPTAIN BRAND.

THE TIME WAS APPROACHING THE HOUR OF HIGH NOON ON NOVEMBER 25, 1718, WHEN LT. MAYNARD OF THE BRITISH NAVY SLOOP "RANGER" MADE PORT AT BATH TOWN CARRYING LOOT THEY ALLEGED HAD BEEN CONFISCATED FROM TITSCHKE’S SLOOP, "ADVENTURE". THE BRITISH SLOOP "RANGER" WAS PROUDLY ADORNING, AS IF BOASTING OVER THEIR VICTORY, THE BLOODY AND MANGLED SEVERED HEAD OF THE PIRATE, BLACKBEARD, JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH). THEY PLACED TITSCHKE’S MANGLED HEAD UPON THE BOW OF THE “RANGER”, THE HEAD WHICH HAD BEEN SEVERED FROM EDWARD TITSCHKE’S BODY WITH COMMAND TO DO THE HORRID DEED, BY LT. MAYNARD OF THE BRITISH NAVY. THE DEVIATING "BRITS" AND VIRGINIANS RESUMED THEIR DRUNKEN INSPIRED DISPLAY, REJOICING ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN THEIR CELEBRATION WELL INTO THE EVENING HOUR. THEY ENJOYED THE DESPICABLE, YET VICTORIOUS DEED IN HAVING KILLED THE ELUSIVE PIRATE, EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH). THE WILD BRIT'S AND VIRGINIANS TOSSED THE BLOODY MUTILATED HEAD OF TITSCHKE FROM ONE TO ANOTHER WITH THEIR HANDS GRASPING THE BLOODY, TANGLED, KNOTTED BEARD, VICTORIOUSLY THROWING THE BLOODY HEAD ALOFT, JOYFULLY REBELLING, CHEERING THE DEATH OF THE SUPPOSING MOST FEARED PIRATE EVER TO SAIL UPON THE SEAS.

TITSCHKE’S HEROIC CREW DIDN’T GO DOWN WITHOUT AN ADMIRABLE FIGHT. THE SURVIVORS OF THE MASSACRE WERE ALARMED BY THE SCREAMING CRIES COMING FROM THE FORWARD PART OF "ADVENTURE". THEY MUSTERED, LOADED THEIR FIREARMS AND SHEATHED THEIR SWORDS READY FOR FIGHT AND THEY ENGAGED AND KILLED TWELVE AND WOUNDED TWENTY-TWO OF THE KING’S ROYAL MILITIA BEFORE THEY WERE COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED BY THE SHEER NUMBER OF "BRITS" IN THE CONSPIRED ONSLAUGHT UPON THE SLOOP “ADVENTURE”.

GOVERNOR EDEN WAS VISIBLY SHAKEN AFTER RECEIVING CONFIRMATION OF TITSCHKE’S MURDER. HE COMPLAINED BITTERLY, REFERRING TO THE MURDERS AS A COWARDLY SLAYING OF MEN WHILE UNDER HIS PARDON WHICH HE HAD ADMINISTERED IN GOOD FAITH FROM HIS HIGH OFFICE AS THE PROVINCE’S ROYAL GOVERNOR. GOVERNOR EDEN WAS MELANCHOLY AND ANGERED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE "BRITS" AND VIRGINIANS AS WELL AS CAPTAIN BRAND. CAPTAIN BRAND POLITELY INFORMED THE GOOD GOVERNOR HE WAS ORDERED TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LOOT THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY TAKEN FROM "ADVENTURE", TO CARRY IT BACK TO VIRGINIA WITH HIM AS EVIDENCE. GOVERNOR EDEN BECAME IRRITATED AND CHASTISED CAPTAIN BRAND WITH AN ANGRY TONGUE ADMONISHING BRAND, INFORMING HIM, "HIS REQUEST WAS NOT AGREEABLE TO HIM, NOR WAS IT A SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROVINCE GOVERNMENT". HE PROTESTED BITTERLY OVER BRAND’S INTENDED PLANS; HOWEVER, IN THE END GOVERNOR EDEN RELENTED ALLOWING BRAND TO HAVE POSSESSION OF TITSCHKE’S (TEACHE, THATCH) ALLEGED, HOWEVER, HIGHLY UNAUTHENTIC BOOTY.

GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD OF VIRGINIA GENEROUSLY FORWARDED A COPY OF THE TESTIMONY TAKEN FROM THE TRIBUNAL PROCEEDING IN VIRGINIA TO GOVERNOR EDEN. HE FURTHER DEMANDING GOVERNOR EDEN OF NORTH CAROLINA PROVINCE TAKE INTO CUSTODY CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT, TO HAVE JUSTICE KNIGHT IMMEDIATELY SENT TO VIRGINIA TO FACE TRIAL BEFORE THE COURT OF HIGH ADMIRALTY FOR THE CRIME OF COLLUSION IN PIRACY. GOVERNOR EDEN QUICKLY SUMMONED THE PROVINCE COUNCIL, CONVENING THE COUNCIL TO TAKE TESTIMONY FROM CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT TO REFUTE THE CHARGES BEING MADE FROM VIRGINIA. IT WAS LEARNED THROUGH THE WITNESSES CALLED BEFORE THE COUNCIL HEARING FOR TESTIMONY AT THE INQUEST, THAT NEITHER EDWARD TITSCHKE NOR ANY OF HIS CREW HAD VISITED THE RESIDENCE OF CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT SINCE THE PREVIOUS AUGUST, 1718. THAT WAS THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL HEARING BEFORE CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT’S PARDON HEARING FOR TITSCHKE’S PIRACY CRIMES. THE CROWN’S PARDON WAS GRANTED TO TITSCHKE AND ALL OF HIS CREW IN THE FIRST MEETING OF COUNCIL CALLED TOGETHER TO CONVEY TITSCHKE’S PARDON.

CHIEF JUSTICE, TOBIAS KNIGHT ADMITTED WRITING THE LETTER ENTERED INTO EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM IN THE VIRGINIA COURT OF HIGH ADMIRALTY; HOWEVER, HE SUFFICIENTLY REFUTED THE DOCUMENT HE HAD FORWARDED TO TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) CONTAINED ANY EVIL INTENT ON HIS OR THE PROVINCE’S BEHALF. THE SYMPATHETIC COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT FULLY ABSOLVED KNIGHT AND COMMENDED HIM AS A GOOD AND FAITHFUL PUBLIC OFFICER.

CHIEF JUSTICE, TOBIAS KNIGHT WOULD DIE LATER THAT YEAR, TO WHAT EXTENT THE EXACERBATION OF THE EDWARD TITSCHKE AFFAIR HAD CAUSED HIS PREMATURE DEATH WILL NEVER BE KNOWN. THE ON GOING EVENTS, BEING ACCUSED AS AN ACCESSORY TO PIRACY, THE PLOTS OF THE DISLOYAL COLONELS MOSELEY AND MOORE AND THE TRIALS BEFORE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE RENDERED AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE UPON KNIGHT’S LIFE.

THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED BEFORE THE COURT OF HIGH ADMIRALTY WAS DETERMINED TO BE PERSONALLY DAMAGING TO BOTH CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT AND ROYAL GOVERNOR, CHARLES EDEN. CAPTAIN BRAND, LATER SENT A LETTER TO GOVERNOR EDEN AFTER THE SUMMARY OF COURT OF HIGH ADMIRALTY TRIALS, ADVISING THE GOOD GOVERNOR THAT CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT HAD OBSTRUCTED HIS WORK IN THE INVESTIGATION OF TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) AND HAD NOT COOPERATED WITH HIM SINCE 1712. CAPTAIN BRAND INFORMED THE GOVERNOR THAT, "WHILE KNIGHT WAS A TAX COLLECTOR AT CURRITUCK AND UNTIL HIS DEMISE, THE SECRETARY AND CHIEF JUSTICE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE FREELY AND KNOWINGLY ENDEAVORED WITH PIRATES, PARTICULARLY WITH EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH), BLACKBEARD". CAPTAIN BRAND INFORMED GOVERNOR EDEN OF ALLEGEDLY FINDING ADDITIONAL BOOTY FROM PIRACY DEEDS WHEN HE SEARCHED CHIEF JUSTICE KNIGHT’S PRIVATE BARN. HE THEN ALLEGED JUSTICE KNIGHT HAD BOOTY HIDDEN AND STORED BENEATH THE HAY IN HIS BARN. CAPTAIN BRAND CONCLUDED FOR THE RECORD THE FOLLOWING WRITTEN STATEMENT: "WHILE GOVERNOR CHARLES EDEN WAS ASSUREDLY NOT AN ENEMY OF PIRACY, HE MAY NOT HAVE ENGAGED IN CLEAR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE HAS FULLY COOPERATED WITH THE COLLECTION OF PIRACY BOOTY AND MY INVESTIGATION". THE PROVINCE GOVERNOR WAS GRACIOUS TO CAPTAIN BRAND FOR HIS COURTESY, DESIRING TO PERSONALLY ESCORT THE GENTLEMAN OUT OF THE PROVINCE AND BACK TO VIRGINIA.

GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD OF VIRGINIA STOPPED JUST SHORT OF ACCUSING GOVERNOR EDEN OF CRIMINAL INTENT ASSOCIATED WITH TITSCHKE’S PIRACY; AS WELL AS COLLUSION BETWEEN GOVERNOR EDEN, EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) AND CHIEF JUSTICE, TOBIAS KNIGHT. THE QUESTION OF COLLUSION HAS BEEN PONDERED FOR ALMOST THREE HUNDRED YEARS, BY SCHOLARS AND RESEARCHERS.

THIS HISTORIC WRITTEN SUPPLEMENTARY ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE GERMAN PRINCE WAS ELEMENTARY TO DEFINE ONCE ACCEPTING THE DEFENSELESS FACTS AND SIMPLE REALITIES THAT SURROUNDED THE NOTABLE EVENTS IN NEW BERN’S AMAZING HISTORY. "DE GRAFFENREID’S GERMAN COLONY", HIDDEN, BUT NOT TOO WELL, YET "BUILT SO GOOD" A FEW GERMAN PALATINES ACTUALLY SURVIVED THEIR MISFORTUNE TO TELL THE STORY. MANY OF THOSE WHO DID SURVIVE LEFT THEIR FOOTPRINTS LEADING STRAIGHT TO THE WRITERS WITH INCONTESTABLE FACTS AND HISTORIC CONCLUSIVE PROOF.

HISTORICAL WRITINGS ABOUT TITSCHKE, IN FAIRNESS, SEEM TO BE BALANCED. MANY NARRATIVES HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ADMONISHING A GOOD PORTRAYAL OF TITSCHKE; HOWEVER, THE BAD HAS ALSO BEEN LAID OPEN AND IT IS PROBABLY NOT ALL MYTHICAL FOLKLORE. NOVELS ARE WRITTEN IN FICTION AND SELECTIVITY IS NOT THE CONCERN OF FICTITIOUS ACCOUNTS. WHEN YOU WRITE ABOUT A NON-FICTITIOUS FAMILY, A PERSON OF WHOM YOU HAVE DESCENDED, YOU TEND TO PORTRAY AN HONEST, FAIR CHARACTERIZATION AS DOCUMENTED IN OUR HISTORY. THIS WRITING HAS BEEN WRITTEN WITH FACTUAL FAIRNESS TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THIS IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENTARY HISTORY. THE CHARACTERS ARE NON-FICTITIOUS PEOPLE. WE HAVE CAREFULLY RESEARCHED HISTORICALLY RELATED EVENTS FROM PREVIOUS WRITINGS OF OUR STATE’S HISTORY. WE HAVE CAREFULLY SORTED THROUGH THE EVENTS IN HISTORY AND NOW WE FIND OURSELVES RELUCTANT TO DISCLOSE THE TRUE IDENTITY OF JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE, BUT THE TRUE STORY ABOUT THE PIRATE JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE), NEEDS TO BE TOLD SO HISTORY IS RECORDED CORRECTLY AND NOT POLITICALLY PERSUADED. HISTORIANS NEED AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE ALL THE PAST WRITINGS OF FELLOW HISTORIANS TO DETERMINE THEIR VERACITY.

THE AUTHOR REALIZES THAT OTHERS KNOW ABOUT THE EVENTS IN HISTORY BY CONSEQUENCE OF THE PREVIOUS WRITINGS; THUS, WE NOW APPORTION OUR WRITING WITH YOU. THE DESCENDANTS OF BLACKBEARD, JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE, DANIEL EDWARD TITSCHKE, (TEACHIE, TEACHEY, TEACHE, & c.), AND ANN GIESSIEBEL TITSCHKE WENT FORWARD IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIETY. THE BLOOD OF THESE TWO EARLY SETTLERS IN NORTH CAROLINA, BOTH OF WHOM SURVIVED DE GRAFFENREID’S GERMAN COLONY, FLOWS IN THE VEINS OF MANY OF THE FAMILIES LIVING IN TEACHIE (TEACHE) AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES TODAY. THE CHRONICLE WE ARE WRITING IS NOT BEING WRITTEN TO BLEMISH OR EMBARRASS THEIR LIVES OR FAMILY’S PRIDE. IN REALITY THE HOPE IS BY EXPOSING THE WHOLE FACTUAL CHRONICLE CONCERNING THE INFAMOUS TITSCHKE, THOSE IN THE FAMILY WHO HAVE FEARED THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRUTH FOR TOO MANY YEARS WILL BE SET FREE. THEY SHOULD ALL BE EMBELLISHED WITH REWARDING EUPHORIA, BOASTING OF THEIR FAMILY LINEAGE TO EDWARD TITSCHKE’S (TEACHE, THATCH) HERITAGE AND THEIR FAMILY’S RELATIONSHIPS TO THE INFAMOUS TITSCHKE AND THE STATE’S NOTORIOUS PIRATE, BLACKBEARD. THE BEARD WAS NOT A PERVERTED CHARACTER MOST HISTORIANS HAVE PORTRAYED. BLACKBEARD WAS A MERCIFUL, LOVING PERSON WHO CHOSE TO CARE FOR THE POOR PEOPLE IN THE PROVINCE, PARTICULARLY, THE GERMAN AND SWISS PALATINE PEOPLE, WHO WERE SCORNFULLY SACRIFICED IN THE FIERCE WARS IN THE PALATINATE OF GERMANY. BLACKBEARD CHOSE TO STAND FOR A REASON ONCE THE PALATINES REALIZED THEY HAD JUMPED FROM THE KETTLE AND INTO THE PIT OF FIRE. BLACKBEARD TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO SEE THAT THE NEEDS OF THE GERMAN AND SWISS PALATINE PEOPLE WERE FULFILLED IN THEIR HOUR OF QUANDARY. BLACKBEARD CHOSE TO TELL THE ENTIRE WORLD THE PROFOUNDLY CRUEL, PROVOCATIVE CIRCUMSTANCES THE GERMAN AND SWISS PALATINES WERE FACED WITH IN THE NEW COUNTRY; FURTHERMORE, BLACKBEARD CHOSE TO BECOME A PIRATE, NOT A POLITICIAN. THE QUESTION IS: WHO CONCEALED THE FACTS OVER ALL THE YEARS WHICH REPRESENTED THE DOCUMENTED TRUTHS PORTRAYING THE INTRIGUING FACTS, BLACKBEARD OR THE POLITICIANS?

THE DECISION ABOUT BLACKBEARD’S CHARACTER SHOULD BE BASED ON THE VALUE OF THE HISTORICAL JOURNALS UTILIZING THE EVIDENCE AND FACTS UNCOVERED IN THE RESEARCH. THIS WILL PROVIDE THE READER AN ALTERNATIVE TO PAST CHARACTERIZATIONS. DID THE PIRATE DESERVE THE LACKLUSTER MYTHICAL IDENTITY HE INHERITED FROM THE PAST CARETAKERS OF HISTORY? SHOULD FUTURE HISTORIANS DEMAND SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE FROM FACTUALLY RECORDED EVENTS WHICH TRULY REVEAL A DIFFERENT REVELATION ABOUT THE PIRATE TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH)?

THERE WERE FEW FAMILIES OF EARLY DUPLIN COUNTY WHO KNEW ABOUT BLACKBEARD. IT IS CURIOUS HOW SO MANY EVENTS EVOLVED AND ARE CONCLUDED IN OUR LIFETIME, DISPLAYING THE HISTORY OF OUR GREAT STATE. COLONEL WILLIAM BRICE WON THE AFFECTION OF MOST OF THESE GERMAN PALATINE SETTLERS, FROM THE DE GRAFFENREID, IN THE BARONS GREATEST HOUR OF DESPAIR. COLONEL BRICE WOULD LEAVE HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT DATED, NOVEMBER 16, 1718, IN AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN NORTH CAROLINA, DATED SIX (6) DAYS BEFORE THE RECORDED DATE OF THE ASSASSINATION OF JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE, BLACKBEARD. THAT IS A STRANGE, CURIOUS TWIST OF FATE. IMAGINATION WITH SOME SPECULATION CONCERNING THIS PART IN THE HISTORIC UNFOLDING SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN IMPLICATION MADE OR IMPLIED. NOR SHOULD IT SUGGEST WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO COLONEL WILLIAM BRICE OR ANY OTHER CHARACTER IN THE PAST HISTORY OF CRAVEN COUNTY. ALTHOUGH IT IS IRONIC, THAT SOME HISTORIC CHRONICLES HAVE PURPORTED THAT WILLIAM BRICE WENT TO SEA AND NEVER RETURNED. THESE ARE SOME OF THE VAGUE, QUESTIONABLE EVENTS IN THE JOURNALS THAT REMAIN WITHOUT AN ANSWER; HOWEVER, RECKONING WITH THE BARON VON DE GRAFFENREID’S DESCRIPTION OF “THE DISLOYAL PALATINE AND THE DESPICABLE WILLIAM BRICE”, LENDS TO EMBRACE OUR IMAGINATIONS ARE NOT PROTRACTED TO THE POINT OF FANTASY. WE ARE ONLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR RICHARD’S SEVENTH GREAT GRANDPARENTS, JOHN EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH) AND JOHN MICHAEL GIESSIEBEL ON THE PATERNAL SIDE OF HIS FAMILY.

HISTORY CONFIRMS AS ACCURATE IN DE-GRAFFENREID PERSONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY THAT HE RETURNED TO EUROPE AFTER THE INDIAN WAR WAS CONCLUDED. THAT FACTOR FURTHER INTENSIFIES OUR QUERY ABOUT COLONEL WILLIAM BRICE. WAS COLONEL WILLIAM BRICE A HERO IN THE EYES OF NEW BERN’S IMMIGRANT SETTLERS IN THE LITTLE GERMAN COLONY LIKE BLACKBEARD OR ONE OF THE VILLAINOUS POLITICIANS? HISTORIES IMPLY AND WE ACCEPT THE FORMER FOR THE RECORD, IT DOES APPEAR THAT WILLIAM BRICE ALSO DIED AS A HERO IN THEIR EYES.

THIS RESEARCH HAS PROVEN, FRANCIS BRICE, THE SON OF THE COLONEL BRICE WOULD FIND HIMSELF IN DUPLIN COUNTY, IN 1750, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS OF OUR BONI (BONEY) AND TITSCHKE (TEACHEY, TEACHE) FAMILY RELATIONS. SURPRISINGLY, IN MANY OF THESE FAMILIES, THE BLOOD OF COLONEL WILLIAM BRICE RUNS DEEP IN THEIR VEINS. THERE IS A LANDMARK FROM PAST HISTORY, BRICE’S CREEK, WHICH WAS NAMED IN HIS HONOR AND MEMORY; IT IS STILL KNOWN BY THAT NAME TODAY. ANOTHER HISTORIC LANDMARK, A LIVING MEMORIAL TO EDWARD TITSCHKE (TEACHE, THATCH), BLACKBEARD IS BEARD’S (BAIRD’S) CREEK. THAT CREEK IS ALSO CALLED BY THAT NAME TODAY. BEARD’S CREEK IS LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE NEUSE RIVER, SOUTHWEST OF BROAD CREEK AND WILKERSON’S POINT. "KISSABLE CREEK," WAS LOCATED IN WHAT IS NOW ONSLOW COUNTY, NAMED FOR JOHN MICHEL GIESSIEBEL (KISSIEBEL), (KINSEL, AND KINSAUL). THE CREEK NO LONGER EXISTS ON NORTH CAROLINA’S MAP, THE PREFACE OF THE FAMILY NAME G(K)IESSIEBEL DISAPPEARANCE FROM OUR HISTORY.

THIS WRITTEN SUPPLEMENT DEPICTS SAMPLES OF HISTORY; RECOGNIZING NAMES FROM THE PAST TRAVELING OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND WATERWAYS. WE GIVE LITTLE THOUGHT TO THEIR PAST HISTORY OR THE CAST OF THESE CHARACTERS THE NAMES REPRESENTED IN THE UNIQUE HISTORIC PAST OF NEW BERN AND CRAVEN COUNTY. THE HISTORY BECOMES CLOSE TO ALL OF US AS WE LEARN ABOUT ITS TRUE MEANING AND WHAT PART OUR FOREFATHERS MAY HAVE PLAYED IN NEW BERN’S HISTORY. THEIR PAST SERVES AS A HALLOWED PATH TO THE STILL UNFOLDING EVENTS OF HISTORY. MUCH LIKE THE COMBINED CURRENTS OF THE ONCE IMMACULATE WATERS OF THE NEUSE RIVER TIRELESSLY FLOWING TO THE COASTAL WATER SOUNDS; ETERNALLY FLOWING, THREADING AND WEAVING THESE EARLY FAMILY'S TO ONE ANOTHER IN THE HISTORY OF NEW BERN AND CRAVEN COUNTY. THESE EARLY SETTLERS WERE AN INTRINSIC PARTNER IN THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF NEW BERN’S EARLY COMMUNITY AND MUCH GREATER THAN THE BARON DE GRAFFENREID’S LAKE CALLED GENEVA. THESE FAMILY’S HERITAGE HAS BEEN RADIATED, CAST FORWARD TO THE MAGNIFICENT OCEAN FROM WHENCE THESE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN HAD ONCE SAILED. THEIR LIFE’S LEGACY WAS AN ETCHING IN TIME TO THE MANY MEMORABLE EVENTS OF NEW BERN’S ANTIQUITY AND PROVIDES US SPECIFIC WISDOM ABOUT THE TOWN'S OLDEN PAST. THIS KNOWLEDGE, ADDED TO OTHER KNOWLEDGE WILL PORTRAY THE BEAUTIFUL PATTERN LEFT BEFORE US TO READ, ENLIGHTENING SIGNIFICANTLY THE MOSAIC REPRESENTING THE IMAGINABLE TRUTHS OF THE TOWN’S AUTHENTIC PAST.

THIS HISTORIC SUPPLEMENT REVEALS CREDENTIALS THAT THE SEEDS FROM BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, TRAVELING ABREAST THE WINDS OF HEAVEN, ONCE ESTABLISHED LIFE HERE. WE KNOW NOT WHERE THE NEXT SEED SHALL FALL AND GIVE BLOSSOM, LEAVING A GOOD PATHWAY TO SCRUTINIZE; THUS, WE CAN NURTURE ITS STAY HERE, MARKING ITS UNRIVALED CONSEQUENCES IN THE PROUD HISTORY WE’VE INHERITED. WE ARE NOW ADEPT TO THE TRUE ARCHIVE ABOUT THE INFAMOUS PIRATE, BLACKBEARD. EDWARD TEACHE (TITSCHKE) WHO WAS ALSO A BENEVOLENT HUMAN BEING, NOT MERELY A TRIVIAL THIEVING PIRATE AS PAST CHRONICLES AND POLITICIANS WOULD HAVE WISHED US TO BELIEVE HE REPRESENTED. WE HAVE NO DOUBT, AND CAN APPRECIATE THE SHAMEFUL DISCOMFORTS OF THE HISTORIANS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE CHRONICLES THEY PONDERED NOT WANTING THIS EPISODE OF THE PAST TO BE A PART OF NEW BERN’S ANTIQUITY. HOWEVER, IN HISTORIC REALITY, UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS.

BLACKBEARD WAS THE FIRST TO REDISTRIBUTE THE WEALTH COMING INTO THE PROVINCE, GIVING A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF IT TO THOSE LOWLY, DISTRESSED GERMAN AND SWISS PALATINES WHO WERE JUSTLY DESERVING, LEFT TO QUANDARY OVER THEIR PLIGHT. CONSIDER THIS QUESTION. WHAT COURSE OF BEHAVIOR WOULD YOU HAVE THOUGHT SUITABLE IF YOU FACED THE INTRICATE CIRCUMSTANCES, AS BLACKBEARD? HIS HEROIC ENDEAVOR WAS AN UNDERTAKING TO LESSEN THEIR ANXIETIES AND HOPELESSNESS. THE SO MYTHICAL UNMERCIFUL PIRATE FED AND CLOTHED THE NEEDY PALATINE PEOPLE, PROVIDING THEIR ESSENTIAL NEED, THROWING THEM "LIFE LINES" TO SURVIVE THE LOSS OF "THE GERMAN COLONY" AND TO ASSURE THEIR SURVIVAL IN THE NEW WORLD.

THE POLITICIAN’S IMAGE HAS NOT CHANGED TOO MUCH SINCE THE DEATH OF "THE BEARD" AND EVEN BEFORE THE NATION WAS BORN; BLACKBEARD’S GRANDCHILDREN, LIEUTENANT DANIEL TETCHEY, JR., PRIVATE DANIEL TETCHEY BONEY, CORPORAL JAMES WIMBARK BONEY, PRIVATE JOHN BONEY AND PRIVATE WIMBRICK (WINBE(A)CK) BONEY, ASSISTED GETTING THE COLONIAL COLONIES OFF THEIR FRIGHTENED AND SKINNY KNEES. STEADYING THE RISING LADY’S POSE TO HER WOBBLING LEGS, STANDING HER UPRIGHT, JUBILANT THE PROVINCE WOULD BE REPRESENTED BY ONE OF THE ORIGINAL THIRTEEN STARS AND STRIPES REPRESENTING THE COLORS SHE WOULD SOON BEAR. THEY WERE A PART OF THOSE GIVING HER STRENGTH TO BEAR HER OWN COLORS; THEY KNEW HER AS "OLD BETSY", "LADY BESS", AND AS WELL AS "OLD GLORY".

FOR MORE THAN TWO AND ONE QUARTER CENTURIES SHE HAS STOOD GRACIOUSLY FOR THE CAUSE OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR MOST AMERICANS THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. WE CAN’T SAY ALL AMERICANS FOR HISTORY HAS PROVEN, MANY WERE LEFT, COURAGEOUSLY SEARCHING FOR THE REASONS WHY THEY WERE LESS AMERICAN THAN OTHERS AND THERE ARE THOSE AMONG US WHO HOLD THAT UNMERCIFUL CONVICTION EVEN TO THIS DAY, MAY GOD HELP THEIR DISTURBED SOULS.

WE HOPE THERE WILL BE ACCEPTANCE OF OUR CHALLENGE TO ALL IN RESTORING THE NATION’S RESOLVE TO BECOME UNITED AGAIN, TO RESTORE THE DIGNITY AND PRIDE THE GREAT NATION IS WANT.

BLACKBEARD’S LEGACY HAS TAUGHT US, EVEN BEFORE THE NATION WAS BORN; A FEW CANNOT CORRECT INEPT CORRUPTNESS ESPECIALLY IN A DEMOCRACY. BLACKBEARD WAS CORRECT, HE DID MAKE THE APPROPRIATE JUDGMENT IN HIS LIFE, AND BY BECOMING A PIRATE BLACKBEARD SUSTAINED HIS PEOPLE.

CONSIDER TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR COUNTRY AT THE BALLOT BOX; PRESERVE THE REPUBLIC’S UNION, BECOME A PART OF YOUR DESTINY BY VOTING TO RESTORE INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY, ENGAGE YOURSELF AS A PROTECTOR FOR THE GRACE AND SURVIVAL OF THE GREAT LADY.

PREPARE ONES SELF, THE DAY WILL SOON COME WHEN EACH OF YOU WILL BECOME ACCOUNTABLE TO PRESERVE DEMOCRACY SO OTHERS MAY INHERIT HER FUTURE LEGACY. OUR GREATEST DESIRE IS THAT IT WILL NOT BE THE "MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO" MANNER EXHIBITED BY THE BUSINESS AND POLITICAL LEADERS IN THIS COUNTRY WHICH WE HAVE WITNESSED DURING THE PAST THREE DECADES; GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS JOINING TO CONTRIVE ILL DEEDS TO DISADVANTAGE THEIR CITIZENS. THESE DISHONORABLE DEEDS OF CORRUPTION, LIKE THOSE IN THE PAST, WHICH WERE PURCHASED AT OUR NATIONS CITIZEN’S EXPENSE, WILL NOT ENDURE. THIS UN-CARING STYLE WILL DESTROY ALL THE PARAMETERS OF THE GREAT NATION INSTITUTED UPON THE NOBLE CREED OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS HELD FIRMLY WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY IN THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT. IT APPEARS THE NATION’S BUSINESS AND POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE LOST FOCUS OF THE MORAL FOUNDATION THAT MADE AMERICA GREAT.

THE NATION’S GOVERNMENT LEADERS SHOULD PROMOTE A MORAL TEMPLATE PERPETUATING FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY THROUGH TRUST, OBEDIENCE AND INTEGRITY BY AND THROUGH THEIR GOVERNMENT’S INSTITUTIONS HERE. THIS IS A TRUE AND CHERISHED CONVICTION OF TRUST AND INTEGRITY IN GOVERNMENT BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHICH WOULD EMULATE RESPECT TO AND FROM ITS CITIZENS. THEY SHOULD FIRST HAVE A DESIRE TO REPRESENT THE SAME TENETS THAT GUIDED PAST GREAT LEADERS WITH SCRUPULOUS CONVICTIONS OF PURITY IN CIVILITY HERE BEFORE CROSSING THE MANY OCEANS OF THE WORLD, PREVIEWING NATIONAL ARROGANCE AND THE COUNTRY'S SHAMEFULNESS IN THE FACE OF THE FREE WORLD'S SCRUTINY. DEMONSTRATING A NATIONS DISGRACE BEFORE THE ENTIRETY OF THE WORLD, BEING CONTEMPTUOUSLY OBSERVED TO THE DEPTH OF THE NATIONS EXPLOITATION AND CONTEMPT THROUGH THE IGNORANCE OF A FEW.

CELEBRATING "300" YEARS

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