To William Fairfax, Esq; Captain Robert Beauchamps, Tho. Walker, Esq; Capt. Wingate Gale, Nathaniel Taylor, Esq; Capt. Josias Burgiss, and Capt. Peter Courant.
Providence, ss.
‘By Virtue of a Commission from his most sacred Majesty King George, King of Great-Britain, &c. to be Governor, &c. of these Islands, thereby empowering me to authorize, commissionate, and constitute all Judges, Justices and Magistrates in these Islands, &c. as also by Virtue of my Commission, to be Vice-Admiral of these Islands, have Power and Authority to authorize and empower, constitute and commissionate, proper Judges and Commissioners, for the trying, determining, adjudging, and condemning, of all or any Pyrate or Pyrates taken, apprehended, and brought into this Government; and in Confidence of the Loyalty, Prudence, and Integrity of you the aforesaid William Fairfax, Esq; Captain Robert Beauchamps, Thomas Walker, Esq; Captain Wingate Gale, Nathaniel Taylor, Esq; Captain Josias Burgiss, and Captain Peter Courant, I do by Virtue of these Presents, authorize, commissionate, and appoint you Deputy, Judges, and Commissioners of the said Especial Court, by these Presents erected and appointed to be, and set in the City of Nassau, on Tuesday the 9th of this Instant, to examine, hear, try, judge, determine, and condemn, all such Pyrate or Pyrates who are now in Custody, and to be brought before the said Court, to be tryed for the Offences of Pyracy by them lately committed in and about these Islands, and to proceed as my Assistants, and as Commissioners aforesaid, according to the Laws of England, and Rules of the said Court in such Cases; and for your so doing, this shall be your sufficient Commission and Authority.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Nassau, this fifth Day of December, Anno Regni quinto Georgii Regis Magnæ Britanniæ, &c. Annoq; Domini, 1718.
WOODES ROGERS.’
New Providence, ss. Chief of the Bahama Islands.
At an especial Admiralty Sessions, held in his Majesty’s Guard-Room in the City of Nassau, on Tuesday the 9th, and Wednesday the 10th of December, 1718.
Before his Excellency Woodes Rogers, Esq; Governor, and Vice-Admiral, &c.
Will. Fairfax, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty.
Robert Beauchamp, Esq;
Thomas Walker, Esq;
Captain Wingate Gale.
Nathaniel Taylor, Esq;
Captain Josias Burgiss.
Captain Peter Courant.
Proclamation being made as usual, the Register opened and read the Governor’s especial Commission, for erecting this Court according to the Intent and Meaning of a late Act of Parliament, Entitled, An Act for the more effectual Suppression of Pyracy, by Virtue of which said Commission, the seven afore-named Commissioners are appointed Assistant Judges, for the hearing, trying, judging, and condemning the several Persons now in Custody, who stand committed for Mutiny, Felony, and Pyracy.