elanya

A: trade: Actually, Philadeplphia was one of the major ports in this period. Acytually, all of the larger citites were more prosperous than the Carolinas, which were prettymuch backwaters. Piracy was bigger up there to start, especially in New York, but as the government up there came under Royal control, and new laws were passed, *Harbouring* pirates was much less of a problem. Generally, people who have strong trade networks *don't* want pirates around, and people without it do, becayse they can get stuff that they otherwise couldn't from dealing with pirates, and for less $$.

Also, the Puritans may have been religious, but they (and the Quakers) were pretty hardcore! traders. They had that whole protestant work ethic going for them too... They were *good* at it :) The Quakers were pacificts, though, which, I think, partly explains why their colonies were less inclined to involve themselves with pirates, or even legitimate privateers.

Geography: This is part of it, yes. Tha Carolinas have allll kinds of weird hid-y places, esp. North carolina on the outerbanks.

Record-keeping: Again possible, but I haven't looked ;)

Corruption and Fraud_ see above re-trade... But one of the reasons that the Carolinas had crappy trade was because they had a weak government. The people who owned the colony lived in England, and really didn't have enough power over their agents.

Recruitment: no, pirates were't generally recruited on land ;)