@Setanta,
What in the hell does an 1820s cargo ship and a young man writing concerning his time on it have to do with pirates?
Pirates for the most was a thing of the past at this point in time even if there was small time small boats pirates still operating and as a result the cargo ship in question did carry a few cannons.
Pirates crews in their times did had far more rights then the cargo ships crews and elected their own leadership and the captain of even a cargo ship in 1820s by law could have a crew member whip at his whim.
Is that what you are referring to? If so you can confirm the above statements with any history book.