[1] Bodleian Library, ibid. Capt. Michael Cole was master of the Friends' Adventure; he had come into James River on his way from South Carolina to London.
99. Libel by Captain William Passenger. May 11, 1700.[1]
Virga. ss. Att the Court of Admiralty held at Hampton Town on Saturday the 11th day of May in the 12th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord William the third, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland King, Defender of the faith, etc., annoq Domini 1700,
Before the Hono'ble Edward Hill, Esqr., Judge of the sd Court,[2] came Capt. William Passenger, Commander of his Maj'tes ship the shoreham, and Exhibited the following Libel in these Words
Virg'a. ss. May the 11th in the 12th year of his Maj'tes Reign, Annoq Domini 1700.
To the Hon'ble Court of Admiralty:
William Passenger, Commander of his Majestyes ship the shoreham, as well for and in behalf of his Majesty as for and in behalfe of himself, officers and Company on Board the said ship,
Humbly gives this Court to understand and be Informed that on the 29th Day of Aprill last Past, in his Maj'tyes said ship the Shoreham, within the Cape of Virga: he engaged, fought and tooke a Company of Pirates or sea Robbers which were in a ship called the Peace, of about two hundred tons Burthen, Mounted with twenty Gunns, which said Company of Pyrates or sea Robbers in the aforesaid ship for severall dayes before their being soe taken did in an Open, Warlike, Hostile, and Piraticall manner Assault, Attack, Fight, take, Robb, Burn, and spoile severall Merchant ships belonging to the subjects of our sovereign Lord the King (Vizt.)
A Pinke Called the Baltimore, John Loveday Master, A Sloope Called the George, Joseph Forest Master, A Ship Called the Pensylvania Merchant, Samuell Harrison Master, A Ship Called the Indyan King, Edward Whitaker Master, A Ship Called the Nicholson, Robert Lurting Master, who in a Peaceable and Lawfull manner were comeing into and goeing out of the aforesaid Cape of Virga. with their severall Goods and Merchandizes, etc. And also the aforesaid Company of Pyrates or sea Robbers, in the aforesaid ship, at and upon the aforesaid time and Place, in a Hostile and Warlike manner, did fight his Maj'tes said ship the shoreham, but they being overcome and taken as aforesaid the aforesaid William Passenger, in behalfe as aforesaid, prays Condemnation of the aforesaid Pirats ship Called the Peace, with all her Gunns, Ammunition, tackle, furniture, and apparell, to be devided and Proportioned according to the Rules and Orders of the sea, in such Cases made and provided, etc.