[7] On the Eastern Shore of Virginia, across the Chesapeake.
[8] A ship's cocket was a custom-house certificate that the merchandise had been duly entered and had paid duty.
[9] A perversion of "cutlasses".
93. Charles Scarburgh to Governor Nicholson. May 3, 1700.[1]
Excellent Sir
I have Enclosed sent you the Deposition of Wm. Fletcher, which I suppose may be a more particular accot. then any your Excell'y may receive. he ad's that the Pirates boasted much of their great strength by sea, and that there were sufficient of them to repell any force that would be sent against them, and used many enticements to perswade his men to goe with them: and I Doubt it will be impossible to secure the Navigation to and from this Country, and stop their Piraticall Invations, without a greater force. Capt. Fletcher haveing lost his Certificate, Cocquetts, and Register, cannot be entered and suffered to Load without your Excellys order. the ship hath used this Place many Years: and this Master in her last Year produced his Certificates, Cocquets, and Register, all which are in my booke of Entryes:[2] he hath the same Owners and [as?] the ships here. his Townsmen will refitt him and hath his Loading and Tobacco ready: and it would be severe if his misfortune should Doubly injure him. besides it would prejudice his Majestys revenue to forbid him to Load, therefore suppose if he gives Security to unload in England he may be permitted to trade: if your Excellency think fitt. I lay wind bound and [at (?)] Mr. Mekennies at Elizabeth River, and on Sunday last afternoon we saw a ship come in: and imediatly the Shoreham loosed and went to turn out of the River, when we Crossing over to Castle point[3] Mr. Makennie spoke with Capt. Passenger, who told him a Pirat had pursued that ship and taken others and desired we would not adventure into the Bay but lye at the Poynt. next morning early we saw Cap. Passenger on the back of the horshooe,[4] standing Down towards 3 ships in Lyn haven bay, who when he came up with them fired upon him, and the Pyrate imediately gott to sail and stood directly with Capt. Passenger, who got the weather gage, and Imediatly followed as sharp a Dispute as (I thinke) could be betwixt two ships, of which we were full spectators Dureing the whole engagement: and in my Judgment Capt. Passenger behaved himself with much Courage and good Conduct, haveing to Deal with an Enemy under a Desperate choice of killing or hanging, and I believe few men in their circumstances but would elect the first. the Conflict briskly maintained from soon after sunrise untill about 4 afternoon. on thursday May the second Fletcher gott in here and gave the inclosed accot.,[5] which I beleive much Imports his Maj'tes service and Interest, least thinking the Pirate aforesaid might be all, security would Endanger many ships. Fletcher further saies these are not of them who tooke Burgis last Year but others, and perhaps more may come upon the same accot. as these doe. I suppose your Excelly will think fitt to lay on a Gen'll Embargoe untill some Assureance that the Coast is Clear: and believe York River will be more Convenient then James River, in Regard ships must goe to the Cape to Clear the horshooe before they can gett into James River, and soe may be Endangered. I wait your Excellys Order and Directions and withall to favour me with a true relation of the success of the Action betwixt Capt. Passenger and the Pirate:[6] I humbly take leave to subscribe Right Excellent
Your Excellencies Faithful and
most Obliged servant
Cha. Scarburgh.
May 3d
1700
[1] Bodleian Library, MS. Rawlinson A. 271, f. 48. Col. Charles Scarburgh or Scarborough was the chief magnate of the Eastern Shore, and a member of the governor's council.
[2] Colonel Scarborough was also collector of customs in his district.