There being no publick prison, _Bonnet_ was committed into the custody of the marshal, and his Men were kept at the Watch-house under a strict guard; a little before the trial, _David Harriot_ the Master, and _Ignatius Rathe_ Boatswain, the evidences, were removed from the Crew, to the Marshal's house, from whence on the 24th _Bonnet_ and _Harriott_ made their escape; which as soon as the Governor heard of, he published a Proclamation, promising a reward of 700_l._ to any one that would take him, and also sent several boats with armed men in pursuit of him.
_Bonnet_ stood to the northward, in a small vessel; but through stress of weather, and want of necessaries, he was forced to _Swillivant's_ Island. Of which information being given to the Governor, he sent for Colonel _Rhet_, and desired him once more to go in pursuit of him; which the Colonel readily accepted of; and having got all Things ready, went that Night for _Swillivant's_ Island, where, after a long search, he discovered them. After the Colonel's men had fired upon them, and killed _Harriott_, _Bonnet_ immediately surrendered himself, and was, next Morning, brought back to _Charles Town_, and confined under a strong guard till his trial, which was hastened for fear he should give them the slip again.
On the 28th of _October_, 1718, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at _Charles Town_, and, by several adjournments continued to the 12th of _November_ following, by _Nicholas Trot_, Esq; Judge of the Vice-Admiralty, and Chief Judge of _Carolina_, and other Assistant Judges; where, after the King's Commission was read, and a Grand Jury sworn, _Judge Trot_ gave them a learned Charge: And then the _Grand Jury_ went out, and found the Bills; upon which, a _Petit-Jury_ was sworn, and the following Persons were arraingn'd and try'd.
_Stede Bonnet_, alias _Edwards_, alias _Thomas_, late of _Barbadoes_, Merchant.
_Robert Tucker_, late of _Jamaica_, Merchant.
_Edward Robinson_, late of _Newcastle_-upon-_Tine_, Mariner.
_Neal Peterson_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.
_William Scot_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.
_William Eddy_, alias _Neddy_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.
_Alexander Annand_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.
_George Rose_, late of _Glasgow_, Mariner.