AS the Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have been so formidable and
numerous, that they have interrupted the Trade of _Europe_ into those
Parts; and our _English_ Merchants, in particular, have suffered more by
their Depredations, than by the united Force of _France_ and _Spain_, in
the late War: We do not doubt but the World will be curious to know the
Original and Progress of these Desperadoes, who were the Terror of the
trading Part of the World.
But before we enter upon their particular History, it will not be amiss, by
way of Introduction, to shew, by some Examples drawn from History, the
great Mischief and Danger which threaten Kingdoms and Commonwealths, from
the Increase of these sort of Robbers; when either by the Troubles of
particular Times, or the Neglect of Governments, they are not crush'd
before they gather Strength.
It has been the Case heretofore, that when a single Pyrate has been
suffered to range the Seas, as not being worth the Notice of a Government,
he has by Degrees grown so powerful, as to put them to the Expence of a
great deal of Blood and Treasure, before he was suppress'd. We shall not
examine how it came to pass, that our Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have
continually increased till of late; this is an Enquiry which belongs to the
Legislature, or Representatives of the People in Parliament, and to them we
shall leave it.
Our Business shall be briefly to shew, what from Beginnings, as
inconsiderable as these, other Nations have suffered.
In the Times of _Marius_ and _Sylla_, _Rome_ was in her greatest Strength,
yet she was so torn in Pieces by the Factions of those two great Men, that
every Thing which concerned the publick Good was altogether neglected, when
certain Pyrates broke out from _Cicilia_, a Country of _Asia Minor_,
situate on the Coast of the _Mediterranean_, betwixt _Syria_ on the East,
from whence it is divided by Mount _Tauris_, and _Armenia Minor_ on the
West. This Beginning was mean and inconsiderable, having but two or three
Ships, and a few Men, with which they cruised about the _Greek_ Islands,
taking such Ships as were very ill arm'd or weakly defended; however, by
the taking of many Prizes, they soon increased in Wealth and Power: The
first Action of their's which made a Noise, was the taking of _Julius
Cæsar_, who was as yet a Youth, and who being obliged to fly from the
Cruelties of _Sylla_, who sought his Life, went into _Bithinia_, and
sojourned a while with _Nicomedes_, King of that Country; in his Return
back by Sea, he was met with, and taken, by some of these Pyrates, near the
Island of _Pharmacusa_: These Pyrates had a barbarous Custom of tying their
Prisoners Back to Back and throwing them into the Sea; but, supposing
_Cæsar_ to be some Person of a high Rank, because of his purple Robes, and
the Number of his Attendants, they thought it would be more for their
Profit to preserve him, in hopes of receiving a great Sum for his Ransom;
therefore they told him he should have his Liberty, provided he would pay
them twenty Talents, which they judg'd to be a very high Demand, in our
Money, about three thousand six hundred Pounds Sterling; he smiled, and of
his own Accord promised them fifty Talents; they were both pleased, and
surpriz'd at his Answer, and consented that several of his Attendants
should go by his Direction and raise the Money; and he was left among these
Ruffians with no more than 3 Attendants. He pass'd eight and thirty Days,
and seemed so little concerned or afraid, that often when he went to sleep,
he used to charge them not to make a Noise, threatening, if they disturbed
him, to hang them all; he also play'd at Dice with them, and sometimes
wrote Verses and Dialogues, which he used to repeat, and also cause them to
repeat, and if they did not praise and admire them, he would call them
Beasts and Barbarians, telling them he would crucify them. They took all
these as the Sallies of a juvenile Humour, and were rather diverted, than
displeased at them.
At length his Attendants return'd with his Ransom, which he paid, and was
discharged; he sail'd for the Port of _Miletum_, where, as soon as he was
arriv'd, he used all his Art and Industry in fitting out a Squadron of
Ships, which he equipp'd and arm'd at his own Charges; and sailing in Quest
of the Pyrates, he surpriz'd them as they lay at Anchor among the Islands,
and took those who had taken him before, with some others; the Money he
found upon them he made Prize of, to reimburse his Charges, and he carry'd
the Men to _Pergamus_ or _Troy_, and there secured them in Prison: In the
mean Time, he apply'd himself to _Junius_, then Governor of _Asia_, to whom
it belonged to judge and determine of the Punishment of these Men; but
_Junius_ finding there was no Money to be had, answered _Cæsar_, that he
would think at his Leisure, what was to be done with those Prisoners;
_Cæsar_ took his Leave of him, returned back to _Pergamus_, and commanded
that the Prisoners should be brought out and executed, according to Law in
that Case provided; which is taken Notice of, in a Chapter at the End of
this Book, concerning the Laws in Cases of Pyracy: And thus he gave them
that Punishment in Earnest, which he had often threatned them with in Jest.
_Cæsar_ went strait to Rome, where, being engaged in the Designs of his own
private Ambition, as were almost all the leading Men in Rome, the Pyrates
who were left, had Time to increase to a prodigious Strength; for while the
civil Wars lasted, the Seas were left unguarded, so that _Plutarch_ tells
us, that they erected diverse Arsenals full of all manner of warlike
Stores, made commodious Harbours, set up Watch-Towers and Beacons all along
the Coasts of _Cilicia_; that they had a mighty Fleet, well equipp'd and
furnish'd, with Galliots of Oars, mann'd, not only with Men of desperate
Courage, but also with expert Pilots and Mariners; they had their Ships of
Force, and light Pinnaces for cruising and making Discoveries, in all no
less than a thousand Sail; so gloriously set out, that they were as much to
be envied for their gallant Shew, as fear'd for their Force; having the
Stern and Quarters all gilded with Gold and their Oars plated with Silver,
as well as purple Sails; as if their greatest Delight had been to glory in
their Iniquity. Nor were they content with committing Pyracies and
Insolencies by Sea, they committed as great Depredations by Land, or rather
made Conquests; for they took and sack'd no less than four hundred Cities,
laid several others under Contributions, plundered the Temples of the Gods,
and inriched themselves with the Offerings deposited in them; they often
landed Bodies of Men, who not only plundered the Villages along the Sea
Coast, but ransacked the fine Houses of the Noblemen along the Tiber. A
Body of them once took _Sextillius_ and _Bellinus_, two _Roman_ Prætors, in
their purple Robes, going from Rome to their Governments, and carried them
away with all their Sergeants, Officers and Vergers; they also took the
Daughter of _Antonius_ a consular Person, and one who had obtained the
Honour of a Triumph, as she was going to the Country House of her Father.
But what was most barbarous, was a Custom they had when they took any Ship,
of enquiring of the Person on Board, concerning their Names and Country; if
any of them said he was a _Roman_, they fell down upon their Knees, as if
in a Fright at the Greatness of that Name, and begg'd Pardon for what they
had done, and imploring his Mercy, they used to perform the Offices of
Servants about his Person, and when they found they had deceived him into a
Belief of their being sincere, they hung out the Ladder of the Ship, and
coming with a shew of Courtesy, told him, he had his Liberty, desiring him
to walk out of the Ship, and this in the Middle of the Sea, and when they
observed him in Surprize, as was natural, they used to throw him overboard
with mighty shouts of Laughter; so wanton they were in their Cruelty.
Thus, while _Rome_ was Mistress oft he World, she suffered Insults and
Affronts, almost at her Gates, from these powerful Robbers; but what for a
while made Faction cease, and roused the Genius of that People, never used
to suffer Wrongs from a fair Enemy, was an excessive Scarcity of Provisions
in _Rome_, occasioned by all the Ships loaden with Corn and Provisions from
_Sicily_, _Corsica_, and other Places, being intercepted and taken by these
Pyrates, insomuch that they were almost reduced to a Famine: Upon this,
_Pompey_ the _Great_ was immediately appointed General to manage this War;
five hundered Ships were immediately fitted out, he had fourteen Senators,
Men of Experience in the War, for his Vice-Admirals; and so considerable an
Enemy, were these Ruffians become, that no less than an Army of a hundred
thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse was appointed to invade them by
Land; but it happened very luckily for _Rome_, that _Pompey_ sail'd out
before the Pyrate had Intelligence of a Design against them, so that their
Ships were scattered all over the _Mediterranean_, like Bees gone out from
a Hive, some one Way, some another, to bring Home their Lading; _Pompey_
divided his Fleet into thirteen Squadrons, to whom he appointed their
several Stations, so that great Numbers of the Pyrates fell into their
Hands, Ship by Ship, without any Loss; forty Days he passed in scouring the
_Mediterranean_, some of the Fleet cruizing along the Coast of _Africk_,
some about the Islands, and some upon the Italian Coasts, so that often
those Pyrates who were flying from one Squadron, fell in with another;
however, some of them escaped, and these making directly to _Cilicia_, and
acquainting their Confederates on Shore with what had happened, they
appointed a Rendezvous of all the Ships that had escaped at the Port of
_Coracesium_, in the same Country. _Pompey_ finding the _Mediterranean_
quite clear, appointed a Meeting of all his Fleet at the Haven of
_Brundusium_, and from thence sailing round into the _Adriatick_, he went
directly to attack these Pyrates in their Hives; as soon as he came near
the _Coracesium_ in _Cilicia_, where the Remainder of the Pyrates now lay,
they had the Hardiness to come and give him Battle, but the Genius of old
_Rome_ prevailed, and the Pyrates received an entire Overthrow, being all
either taken or destroyed; but as they made many strong Fortresses upon the
Sea Coast, and built Castles and strong Holds up the Country, about the
Foot of Mount _Taurus_, he was obliged to besiege them with his Army; some
Places he took by Storm, others surrendered to his Mercy, to whom he gave
their Lives, and at length he made an entire Conquest.
But it is probable, that had these Pyrates receiv'd sufficient Notice of
the _Roman_ Preparation against them, so as they might have had Time to
draw their scattered Strength into a Body, to have met _Pompey_ by Sea, the
Advantage appeared greatly on their Side, in Numbers of Shipping, and of
Men; nor did they want Courage, as may be seen by their coming out of the
Port of _Coracesium_, to give the _Romans_ Battle, with a Force much
inferior to their's; I say, had they overthrown _Pompey_, it is likely they
would have made greater Attempts, and _Rome_, which had conquer'd the whole
World, might have been subdued by a Parcel of Pyrates.
This is a Proof how dangerous it is to Governments to be negligent, and not
take an early Care in suppressing these Sea Banditti, before they gather
Strength.
The Truth of this Maxim may be better exemplified in the History of
_Barbarouse_, a Native in the City of _Mitylene_, in the Island of
_Lesbos_, in the _Egean_ Sea; a Fellow of ordinary Birth, who being bred to
the Sea, first set out from thence upon the pyrating Account with only one
small Vessel, but by the Prizes he took, he gain'd immense Riches, so that
getting a great Number of large Ships, all the bold and dissolute Fellows
of those Islands flock'd to him, and listed in his Service, for the Hopes
of Booty; so that his Strength was increased to a formidable Fleet: With
these he perform'd such bold and adventurous Actions, that he became the
Terror of the Seas. About this Time it happened that _Selim Eutemi_, King
of _Algiers_, having refused to pay the accustomed Tribute to the
_Spaniards_, was apprehensive of an Invasion from thence; wherefore he
treated with _Barbarouse_, upon the Foot of an Ally, to come and assist
him, and deliver him from paying this Tribute; _Barbarouse_ readily came
into it, and sailing to _Algiers_ with a great Fleet, he put part of his
Men on Shore, and having laid a Plot to surprize the City, he effected it
with great Success, and murder'd _Selim_ in a Bath; soon after which, he
was himself crowned King of _Algiers_; after this he made War upon
_Abdilabde_, King of _Tunis_, and overthrew him in Battle; he extended his
Conquests on all Sides; and thus from a Thief became a mighty King: and
tho' he was at last kill'd in Battle, yet he had so well established
himself upon that Throne, that, dying without Issue, he left the
Inheritance of the Kingdom to his Brother, another Pyrate.
* * *
I come now to speak of the Pyrates infesting the _West-Indies_, where they
are more numerous than in any other Parts of the World, on several Reasons:
_First_, Because there are so many uninhabited little Islands and Keys,
with Harbours convenient and secure for cleaning their Vessels, and
abounding with what they often want, Provision; I mean Water, Sea-Fowl,
Turtle, Shell, and other Fish; where, if they carry in but strong Liquor,
they indulge a Time, and become ready for new Expeditions before any
Intelligence can reach to hurt them.
It may here perhaps be no unnecessary Digression, to explain upon what they
call Keys in the _West-Indies_: These are small sandy Islands, appearing a
little above the Surf of the Water, with only a few Bushes or Weeds upon
them, but abound (those most at any Distance from the Main) with Turtle,
amphibious Animals, that always chuse the quietest and most unfrequented
Place, for laying their Eggs, which are to a vast Number in the Seasons,
and would seldom be seen, but for this, (except by Pyrates:) Then Vessels
from _Jamaica_ and the other Governments make Voyages, called Turtling, for
supplying the People, a common and approved Food with them. I am apt to
think these _Keys_, especially those nigh Islands, to have been once
contiguous with them, and separated by Earthquakes (frequently there) or
Inundations, because some of them that have been within continual View, as
those nigh _Jamaica_, are observed within our Time, to be entirely wasted
away and lost, and others daily wasting. There are not only of the Use
above taken Notice of to Pyrates; but it is commonly believed were always
in buccaneering pyratical Times, the hiding Places for their Riches, and
often Times a Shelter for themselves, till their Friends on the Main, had
found Means to obtain Indemnity for their Crimes; for you must understand,
when Acts of Grace were more frequent, and the Laws less severe, these Men
continually found Favours and Incouragers at _Jamaica_, and perhaps they
are not all dead yet; I have been told many of them them still living have
been of the same Trade, and left it off only because they can live as well
honestly, and gain now at the hazard of others Necks.
Secondly, another Reason why these Seas are chose by Pyrates, is the great
Commerce thither by _French_, _Spaniards_, _Dutch_, and especially
_English_ Ships: They are sure in the Latitude of these trading Islands, to
meet with Prizes, Booties of Provision, Cloathing, and Naval-Stores, and
sometimes Money; there being great Sums remitted this Way to _England_;
(the Returns of the Affiento, and private Slave-Trade, to the _Spanish
West-Indies_:) And in short, by some one or other, all the Riches of
_Potosi_.
A third Reason, is the Inconveniency and Difficulty of being pursued by the
Men of War, the many small Inlets, Lagoons and Harbours, on these solitary
Islands and Keys, is a natural Security.
'Tis generally here that the Pyrates begin their Enterprizes, setting out
at first with a very small Force; and by infesting these Seas, and those of
the Continent of _North-America_, in a Year's Time, if they have good luck
on their Sides, they accumulate such Strength, as enables them to make
foreign Expeditions: The first, is usually to _Guiney_, taking the _Azores_
and _Cape de Verd_ Islands in their Way, and then to _Brazil_ and the
_East-Indies_, where if they meet with prosperous Voyages, they set down at
_Madagascar_, or the neighbouring Islands, and enjoy their ill gotten
Wealth, among their elder Brethren, with Impunity. But that I may not give
too much Encouragement to the Profession, I must inform my maritime
Readers, that the far greater Part of these Rovers are cut short in the
Pursuit, by a sudden Precipitation into the other World.
The Rise of these Rovers, since the Peace of _Utrecht_, or at least, the
great Encrease of them, may justly be computed to the _Spanish_ Settlements
in the _West Indies_; the Governors of which, being often some hungry
Courtiers, sent thither to repair or make a Fortune, generally Countenance
all Proceedings that bring in Profit: They grant Commissions to great
Numbers of Vessels of War, on Pretence of preventing an interloping Trade,
with Orders to seize all Ships or Vessels whatsoever, within five Leagues
of their Coasts, which our _English_ Ships cannot well avoid coming, in
their Voyage to _Jamaica_. But if the _Spanish_ Captains chance to exceed
this Commission, and rob and plunder at Discretion, the Sufferers are
allowed to complain, and exhibit a Process in their Court, and after great
Expence of Suit, Delay of Time, and other Inconveniencies, obtain a Decree
in their Favour, but then when the Ship and Cargo comes to be claim'd, with
Costs of Suit, they find, to their Sorrow, that it has been previously
condemn'd, and the Plunder divided among the Crew; the Commander that made
the Capture, who alone is responsible, is found to be a poor raskally
Fellow, not worth a Groat, and, no doubt, is plac'd in that Station for the
like Purposes.
The frequent Losses sustain'd by our Merchants abroad, by these Pyrates,
was Provocation enough to attempt something by way of Reprisal; and a fair
Opportunity offering it self in the Year 1716, the Traders of the
_West-Indies_, took Care not to slip it over, but made the best Use of it
their Circumstances would permit.
It was about two Years before, that the _Spanish_ Galleons, or Plate Fleet,
had been cast away in the Gulf or _Florida_; and several Vessels from the
_Havana_, were at work, with diving Engines, to fish up the Silver that was
on board the Galleons.
The _Spaniards_ had recovered some Millions of Pieces of Eight, and had
carried it all to the _Havana_; but they had at present about 350000 Pieces
of Eight in Silver, then upon the Spot, and were daily taking up more. In
the mean time, two Ships, and three Sloops, fitted out from _Jamaica_,
_Barbadoes_, _&c._ under Captain _Henry Jennings_, sail'd to the Gulf, and
found the _Spaniards_ there upon the Wreck; the Money before spoken of, was
left on Shore, deposited in a Store-House, under the Government of two
Commissaries, and a Guard of about 60 Soldiers.
The Rovers came directly upon the Place, bringing their little Fleet to an
Anchor, and, in a Word, landing 300 Men, they attack'd the Guard, who
immediately ran away; and thus they seized the Treasure, which they carried
off, making the best of their Way to _Jamaica_.
In their Way they unhappily met with a _Spanish_ Ship, bound from _Porto
Bello_ to the _Havana_, with a great many rich Goods, _viz._ Bales of
Cochineal, Casks of Indico, and 60000 Pieces of Eight more, which their
Hands being in, they took, and having rifled the Vessel, let her go.
They went away to _Jamaica_ with their Booty, and were followed in View of
the Port, by the _Spaniards_, who having seen them thither, went back to
the Governor of the _Havana_, with the Account of it, who immediately sent
a Vessel to the Governor of _Jamaica_ to complain of this Robbery, and to
reclaim the Goods.
As it was in full Peace, and contrary to all Justice and Right, that this
Fact was committed, they were soon made sensible that the Government at
_Jamaica_ would not suffer them to go unpunished, much less protect them.
Therefore they saw a Necessity of shifting for themselves; so, to make bad
worse, they went to Sea again, tho' not without disposing of their Cargo to
good Advantage, and furnishing themselves with Ammunition, Provisions,
_&c._ and being thus made desperate, they turn'd Pyrates, robbing not the
_Spaniards_ only, but their own Countrymen, and any Nation they could lay
their Hands on.
It happened about this Time, that the _Spaniards_, with three or four small
Men of War, fell upon our Logwood Cutters, in the Bay of _Campeachy_, and
Bay or _Honduras_; and after they had made Prizes of the following Ships
and Vessels, they gave the Men belonging to them, three Sloops to carry
them home, but these Men being made desperate by their Misfortunes, and
meeting with the Pyrates, they took on with them, and so encreas'd their
Number.
_The LIST of Ships and Vessels taken by the_ Spanish _Men of War in
the Year_ 1716.
The _Stafford_, Captain _Knocks_, from _New-England_, bound for _London_.
_Anne_, ------ _Gernish_, for ditto.
_Dove_, ------ _Grimstone_, for _New-England_.
A Sloop, ------ _Alden_, for ditto.
A Brigantine, ------ _Mosson_, for ditto.
A Brigantine, ------ _Turfield_, for ditto.
A Brigantine, ------ _Tennis_, for ditto.
A Ship, ------ ------ _Porter_, for ditto.
_Indian Emperor_, _Wentworth_, for _New-England_.
A Ship, ------ _Rich_, Master.
Ditto, ------ _Bay_.
Ditto, ------ _Smith_.
Ditto, ------ _Stockum_.
Ditto, ------ _Satlely_.
A Sloop, ------ ------ _Richards_, belonging to _New-England_.
Two Sloops, ------ ------ belonging to _Jamaica_.
One Sloop ------ ------ of _Barbadoes_.
Two Ships ------ ------ from _Scotland_.
Two Ships ------ ------ from _Holland_.
The Rovers being now pretty strong, they consulted together about getting
some Place of Retreat, where they might lodge their Wealth, clean and
repair their Ships, and make themselves a kind of Abode. They were not long
in resolving, but fixed upon the Island of _Providence_, the most
considerable of the _Bahama_ Islands, lying in the Latitude of about 24
Degrees North, and to the Eastward of the _Spanish Florida_.
This Island is about 28 Miles long, and eleven where broadest, and has a
Harbour big enough to hold 500 Sail of Ships; before which lies a small
Island, which makes two Inlets to the Harbour; at either Way there is a
Bar, over which no Ship of 500 Tun can pass. The _Bahama_ Islands were
possess'd by the _English_ till the Year 1700, when the _French_ and
_Spaniards_ from _Petit Guavus_, invaded them, took the Fort and Governor
in the Island of _Providence_, plunder'd and destroy'd the Settlements,
_&c._ carried off half the Blacks, and the rest of the People, who fled to
the Woods, retired afterwards to _Carolina_.
In March 1705-6, the House of Lords did in an Address to her late Majesty,
set forth,
`That the
_French_ and _Spaniards_ had twice, during the Time
of the War, over run 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_ Pyrates 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 September_ 15, 1716.
`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 Pyrates 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 Pyrates,
which Force so to be employed, is as
follows.
`A List of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed, and to be
employed, at the British Governments and Plantations in the _West-Indies_.
Place where. Rates, Ships, Guns.
{ 5 Adventure, 40 Now there.
{ Diamond, 40 { Sail'd from hence thither
{ { 5th of last Month.
{ Ludlow Castle, 40 To carry the Governor.
Jamaica, { Swift Sloop, Now there.
{ { Surveying the Coast of
{ { the West-Indies, and
{ { then to return Home;
{ { but, during her being
{ 6 Winchelsea, 20 { at Jamaica, is to join
{ { the others, for Security
{ { of the Trade, and
{ { intercepting Pyrates.
Barbadoes, 5 Scarborough, 30 }
Leeward Islands, 6 Seaford, } Now there.
Tryal Sloop, 6 }
{ 6 Lime, 20 }
Virginia, { 5 Shoreham, 30 Order'd Home.
{ { Sailed thither from
{ { Home the 7th of last
{ Pearl, 40 { Month, and is to cruise
{ { about the Capes.
New-York, 6 Phoenix, 30 Now there.
{ Squirrel, 20
New-England, { Rose, 20 Order'd Home.
`Those at _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_ and the Leeward
Islands, are to join upon Occasion, for annoying
the Pyrates, and the Security of the Trade: And
those at _New-England_, _Virginia_ and _New-York_, are
to do the like.
Besides these Frigots, 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 Pyrates; 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 PYRATES.