That the French and Spaniards had twice, during the time of the war, overrun and plundered the Bahama Islands, that there was no form of government there: that the harbour of the Isle of Providence, might be easily put in a posture of defence, and that it would be of dangerous consequence, should those islands fall into the hands of the enemy; wherefore the Lords humbly besought her Majesty to use such methods as she should think proper for taking the said island into her hands, in order to secure the same to the Crown of this kingdom, and to the security and advantage of the trade thereof.
But, however it happened, no means were used in compliance to that address, for securing the Bahama Islands, till the English pirates had made Providence their retreat and general receptacle; then ’twas found absolutely necessary, in order to dislodge that troublesome colony; and information being made by the merchants to the government, of the mischief they did, and were likely to do, His Majesty was pleased to grant the following order.
Whitehall .
Complaint having been made to His Majesty, by great number of merchants, masters of ships and others, as well as by several governors of His Majesty’s islands and plantations in the West Indies; that the pirates are grown so numerous, that they infest not only the seas near Jamaica, but even those of the northern continent of America; and that, unless some effectual means be used, the whole trade from Great Britain to those parts, will not be only obstructed, but in imminent danger of being lost: His Majesty has, upon mature deliberation in council, been pleased, in the first place, to order a proper force to be employ’d for the suppressing the said pirates, which force so to be employed, is as follows.
| Place where. | Rates, | Ships, | Guns | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | 5 | Adventure | 40 | Now there. |
| Diamond | 40 | Sail’d from hence thither 5th of last month. | ||
| Ludlow Castle | 40 | To carry the Governor | ||
| Swift sloop | Now there. | |||
| 6 | Winchelsea | 20 | Surveying the coast of the West Indies, and then to return home; but, during her being at Jamaica, is to join the others, for security of the trade, and intercepting pirates. | |
| Barbados | 5 | Scarborough | 30 | Now there. |
| Leeward Islands | 6 | Seaford | Now there. | |
| Tryal Sloop | 6 | |||
| Virginia | 6 | Lime | 20 | Now there. |
| 5 | Shoreham | 30 |
Order’d Home |
|
| Pearl | 40 |
Sailed thither from home the 7th of last month, and is to cruise about the capes. |
||
| New York, | 6 | Phoenix | 30 | Now there. |
| New England, | Squirrel | 20 | — | |
| Rose | 20 | Order’d Home | ||
Those at Jamaica, Barbados and the Leeward Islands, are to join upon occasion, for annoying the pirates, and the security of the trade: and those at New England, Virginia and New York, are to do the like.
Besides these frigates, two men-of-war were ordered to attend Captain Rogers, late commander of the two Bristol ships, called the Duke and Dutchess, that took the rich Acapulca ship, and made a tour round the globe. This gentleman received a commission from His Majesty, to be governor of the island of Providence, and was vested with power to make use of all possible methods for reducing the pirates; and that nothing might be wanting, he carried with him, the King’s proclamation of pardon, to those who should return to their duty by a certain time; the proclamation is as follows;
By the King,
A Proclamation for Suppressing of Pirates
George R
Whereas we have received information, that several persons, subjects of Great Britain, have since the , committed diverse piracies and robberies upon the high-seas, in the West Indies, or adjoining to our plantations, which hath and may occasion great damage to the merchants of Great Britain, and others trading into those parts; and though we have appointed such a force as we judge sufficient for suppressing the said pirates, yet the more effectually to put an end to the same, we have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to issue this our royal proclamation; and we do hereby promise, and declare, that in case any of the said pirates, shall on or before the , surrender him or themselves, to one of our principal secretaries of state in Great Britain or Ireland, or to any governor or deputy governor of any of our plantations beyond the seas; every such pirate and pirates so surrendering him, or themselves, as aforesaid, shall have our gracious pardon, of and for such, his or their piracy, or piracies, by him or them committed before the next ensuing. And we do hereby strictly charge and command all our admirals, captains, and other officers at sea, and all our governors and commanders of any forts, castles, or other places in our plantations, and all other our officers civil and military, to seize and take such of the pirates, who shall refuse or neglect to surrender themselves accordingly. And we do hereby further declare, that in case any person or persons, on, or after, the , shall discover or seize, or cause or procure to be discovered or seized, any one or more of the said pirates, so refusing or neglecting to surrender themselves as aforesaid, so as they may be brought to justice, and convicted of the said offence, such person or persons, so making such discovery or seizure, or causing or procuring such discovery or seizure to be made, shall have and receive as a reward for the same, viz. for every commander of any private ship or vessel, the sum of 100 £ for every lieutenant, master, boatswain, carpenter,
