Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/88

, Black-beard would be like to reign with Impunity, therefore, with as much Secrecy as poible, they ent a Deputation to Virginia, to lay the Affair before the Governor of that Colony, and to olicit an armed Force from the Men of War lying there, to take or detroy this Pyrate.

This Governor conulted with the Captains of the two Men of War, viz. the Pearl and Lime, who had lain in St. James’s River, about ten Months. It was agreed that the Governor hould hire a couple of mall Sloops, and the Men of War, hould Man them; this was accordingly done, and the Command of them given to Mr. Robert Maynard, firt Lieutenant of the Pearl, an experienced Officer, and a Gentleman of great Bravery and Reolution, as will appear by his gallant Behaviour in this Expedition. The Sloops were well mann’d and furnihed with Ammunition and mall Arms, but had no Guns mounted.

About the Time of their going out, the Governor called an Aembly, in which it was reolved to publih a Proclamation, offering certain Rewards to any Peron or Perons, who, within a Year after that Time, hould take or detroy any Pyrate: The original Proclamation being in our Hands, is as follows. By