Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/35

Rh make a Fortune, generally Countenance all Proceedings that bring in Profit: They grant Commiions to great Numbers of Veels of War, on Pretence of preventing an interloping Trade, with Orders to eize all Ships or Veels whatoever, within five Leagues of their Coats, which our Englih Ships cannot well avoid coming, in their Voyage to Jamaica. But if the Spanih Captains chance to exceed this Commiion, and rob and plunder at Dicretion, the Sufferers are allowed to complain, and exhibit a Proces 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 Cots of Suit, they find, to their Sorrow, that it has been previouly condemn’d, and the Plunder divided among the Crew; the Commander that made the Capture, who alone is reponible, is found to be a poor raskally Fellow, not worth a Groat, and, no doubt, is plac’d in that Station for the like Purpoes.

The frequent Loes utain’d by our Merchants abroad, by thee Pyrates, was Provocation enough to attempt omething by way of Reprial; and a fair Opportunity offering it elf in the Year 1716, the Traders of the West-Indies, took Care not to lip it over, but made the bet Ue of it their Circumtances would permit.

It was about two Years before, that the Spanih Galleons, or Plate Fleet, had been cat away in the Gulf or Florida; and everal Veels from the Havana, were at work, with diving Engines, to fih up the Silver that was on board the Galleons.

The Spaniards had recovered ome Millions of Pieces of Eight, and had carried it all to the Havana; but they had at preent about 350000 Pieces of Eight in Silver, then upon the Spot, and were Rh