And the rest of the Prisoners were Arraigned upon Articles Exhibited against them for Piracy, Robbery and Felony, The Register Reading them in the words following, viz.
Articles of Piracy, Robbery and Felony Exhibited against William Phillips, Isaac Lassen, Henry Giles, Charles Ivemay, John Coombes, John Bootman and Henry Payne, Marriners.
You and Each of you stand Accused by His Majesties advocate General of Felony, Pyracy and Robbery.
First, For that you, the said William Phillips and Isaac Lassen, together with John Phillips, John Nutt, Samuel Ferne, James Sparkes, William White, John Archer (otherwise Called John Rose Archer), and divers others, on or about the 27th day of October last, in the Lattitude of Barbados, on the high sea, and within the Jurisdiction of the Admiralty of Great Britain, with force and arms did Pyratically And Feloniously surprise, seise and take the Sloop named the Content, George Barrow Master, belonging to His Majesties good subjects, and out of them then and there in manner as aforesd. did take and Carry away one John Masters, the mate of sd. sloop, and plate and Provisions to the value of One hundred pounds.
Secondly, For that the said William Phillips and Isaac Lassen, in Conjunction as aforesd., in the Month of —— last,[2] upon the high seas, within the Jurisdiction aforesd., with force and arms Pyratically and Feloniously did surprize, seize and take a Portuguese Brigantine bound to Brazil, and in manner as aforesd. did out of her then and there take and Carry away a Negro Man Slave named Francisco, of the value of One hundred pounds, three Dozen of shirts of the value of forty pounds, one Cask of Brandy and Provisions of the value of thirty pounds.
Thirdly, For that the sd William Phillips and Isaac Lassen, in Conjunction as aforesd., on or about the fourth day of February last past, upon the high sea, about thirty five Leagues to the southward of sandy hook, within the Jurisdiction aforesd., with force and arms Pyratically and Feloniously did surprize, seise, enter into and take a snow, one —— Laws master, belonging to His Maj'ties good subjects, and out of her then and there with force as aforesd., Pyratically and Feloniously take and Carry away Cloaths and provision to the value of One hundred pounds.
Fourthly, For that the sd. William Phillips, Isaac Lassen and Henry Gyles, in Conjunction as aforesd., on or about the first day of March last, upon the high sea and within the Jurisdiction aforesd., with force and Arms Pyratically and Feloniously did surprise, seize and take a French Ship bound from Martenico to France and, in manner as aforsd., out of her, with force as aforsd., then and there did Pyratically and Feloniously take and Carry away One Negro Man named Pierro, of the Value of sixty pounds, Eight Great Guns, twenty small Arms, a number of Cutlashes, and a Considerable quantity of Brandy, Wine and sugar to the Value of two hundred pounds.
Fifthly, For that the sd William Phillips, Isaac Lassen and Henry Gyles, in Conjunction as aforsd., on or about the 27th of March last, upon the high sea within the Jurisdiction aforesd., with force and Arms Pyratically and Feloniously did surprise, seize and take two ships bound from Virginia to London, One Commanded by John Phillips and the other by Robert Mortmiere,[3] and in manner as aforesd. took out of One of them (Commanded by John Phillips) Edward Cheesman, Carpenter, whom they forced in manner as aforesd and Carried away.
Sixthly, For that the sd. William Phillips, Isaac Lassen, Henry Gyles and Charles Ivemay, in Conjunction as aforesd., on or about the latter end of the month of March, upon the high sea within the Jurisdiction aforesd., with force and arms Pyratically and Feloniously did then and there surprise, seize, Enter into and take a scooner belonging to His Majesties good subjects, One Chadwell Master, and out of her with force as aforesd. did Pyratically and Feloniously take and Carry away sundry Provisions to the Value of forty pounds.
Seventhly, For that the said William Phillips, Isaac Lassen, Henry Gyles and Charles Ivemay, in Conjunction as aforesd., on or about the month of April last past, upon the high sea within the Jurisdiction aforesd., did with force and arms Pyratically and Feloniously surprize, seize, enter into and take a Fishing scooner, William Lency Master, and then and there out of her with force as aforesd. and in manner as aforesd. did take and Carry away divers goods and Provisions to the value of Twenty pounds.