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Letter of Marque
William the Third, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France
and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. To our trusty and well beloved
(1. Captain's Name) Capt. Robert Kidd,
commander of the
(2. Vessel's Name) Adventure Galley with a crue of 80
men and mounting 30 carriage guns.
Greeting: whereas we are informed, that
(3. Pirate Captain [optional])
Capt. Thomas Too,
(4. Pirate Captain [optional]) John Ireland,
(5.Pirate Captain [optional])
Capt. Thomas Wake, and
(6. Pirate Captain [optional])
Capt. William Maze or
(7. Pirate Captain's Alias [optional])
Mace, and other subjects,
natives or inhabitants of New-York, and elsewhere, in our plantations in
America, have associated themselves with diverse others, wicked and
ill-disposed persons, and do, against the law of nations, commit many and
great piracies, robberies and depredations on the seas upon the parts of
America, and in other parts, to the great hindrance and discouragement of
trade and navigation, and to the great danger and hurt of our loving
subjects, our allies, and all others, navigating the seas upon their
lawful occasions.
Now know
ye, that we being desirous to prevent the aforesaid mischiefs, and as much
as in us lies, to bring the said pirates, freebooters and sea-rovers to
justice, have thought fit, and do hereby give and grant to the said
Robert Kidd, to whom our commissioners for exercising the office of Lord High
Admiral of England, have granted a commission as a private man-of-war,
bearing date the 11th day of December, 1695,) and unto the commander of
the said ship for the time being, and unto the officers, mariners, and
others which shall be under your command, full power and authority to
apprehend, seize, and take into your custody as well the said
Capt. Thomas
Too, John Ireland,
Capt. Thomas Wake and
Capt. Win. Maze or
Mace, as all
such pirates, free-booters, and searovers, being either our subjects, or
of other nations associated with them, which you shall meet with upon the
seas or coasts, with all their ships and vessels, and all such
merchandizes, money, goods, and wares as shall be found on board, or with
them, in case they shall willingly yield themselves; but if they will not
yield without fighting, then you are by force to compel them to yield.
And we also
require you to bring, or cause to be brought, such pirates, freebooters,
or sea-rovers, as you shall seize, to a legal trial, to the end they may
be proceeded against according to the law in such cases. And we do hereby
command all our officers, ministers, and other of our loving subjects
whatsoever, to be aiding and assisting to you in the premises.
And we do hereby
enjoin you to keep an exact journal of your proceedings in execution of
the premises, and set down the names of such pirates, and of their
officers and company, and the names of such ships and vessels as you shall
by virtue of these presents take and seize, and the quantities of arms,
ammunition, provision, and lading of such ships, and the true value of the same, as near as you can judge.
In
witness whereof, we have caused our great seal of England to be affixed to
these presents. Given at our court in Kensington, the 26th day of January,
1695, in the 7th year of our reign.
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