Petition of the Companies belonging to the Morning Star and other Pirate Ships, n.d.

 

[From: SP 36-154-1-154 at National Archives in London]

To the Kings most Excell. Maj.tie

The most Humble Petition of severall of the Distressed Mothers of the Companyes late belonging to the Morning Star and - Brigantine Good Fortune now lying under the Ignominious Name of Pyrates

Sheweth

That John Ellard Ma.r of the Nightingale sometime since falling into the sd Companys hands on thne Banks of Newfound:land & detained there Did at the instigation of the sd Companys deliver a Petition to yo.r Maj.tie Signed by above 200 of them Which Petition now lyes before yo.r Majesty in Council.

That the sd Company haveing by their sd Petition Set forth their Unhappiness in being taken by the Pyrate Cap. Roberts and Forced into the same Vile Practises to their great Sorrow for Continueing therein and the Extreem desire of Submitting to yo.r Maj.ties Clemency. And yo.r Pet.rs being under the greatest grief for their Children as well in regard to their bodies as Souls And as the Pursuit of these Courses must be the Inevitable ruin of themselves tho' to the great Detriment of Quiet Tradeing Ships.

Yo.r Pet.rs therefore most Humbly Implore yo.r Sacred Maj.tie

that in order to put a Stop to these Notorious Practises, and that

the sd Companyes may return to their true Loyalty and 

Fidelity to yo.r Maj.tie and in Compassion to the Tears and 

Distresses of yo.y Pet.rs

Yor Maj.tie would be most graciously Pleased to 

receive The sd Companies to yor great Mercy

in such manner as shall be most Agreeable to

yor Maj.ties great Wisdom, That as they are now

the most Afflicted and Sorrowfull, so they may for 

the future be the most Dutifull and Serviceable of Yo.r Maj.ties Subjects and Serv.ts

And yo.r Maj.ties Pet.rs (as in the greatest duty bound) Shall ever pray er

To the Rt. Hon.ble the L.d Visco.t Townsend one of his Maj.ties Priciple Secretaries of State

The most Humble Petition of severall Distressed

Mothers of the Companies late belonging to the 

Morning Star and Brigantine Good Fortune

now lying under the Ignominious Name of Pyrates

Sheweth

That yo.r Pet.rs Children being under the Unhappy

Circumstances Specified in the Annexed Petition to his Maj.tie

Yo.r Pet.rs most Humbly pray yo.r Lordp.s to lay

the same before his Maj.tie in Council

And yo.r Pet.rs (as bound) shall ever

pray Ep. 

Without date - Petition of the Companies belonging |

to the Morning Star and other Pirate         |         45

Ships for leave to return to their                 |

allegiance and duty                         |