Riches and Honor
1779

About Riches and Honor
This interesting recruitment advertisement for Privateering crew on the Ship Revenge appeared in the Nova Scotia Gazzette on January 12, 1779. 

At that time Nova Scotia, Canada was a territory of the British Crown; and it was a major port where the powerful British fleet was stationed. From this port they sailed to reclaim their breakaway colonies that had recently declared independence.

Privateers were different than pirates because privateers had a Letter of Marque that allowed them to arm a private warship.
 
The wharves and docks were rife with all kinds of sailors looking for a chance to climb out of their deep poverty by signing on to one of the numerous Privateers in the harbor. These ships would search for merchant ships belonging to England's enemies that they planned to capture for their booty. At the same time these sailors were trying to hide from the numerous English press gangs that were forcibly taking any able-bodied man to fill their ships. There was no chance at all for riches in the Navy--only harsh discipline and suffering. A sailors’ only hope of riches was to crew aboard a privateer or turn pirate!

Below is the text of
Advertisement for Riches and Honor 1779
The names available to be personalized are in red.
They will be replaced in the whole document with
Any names you choose.

 All Gentlemen Volunteers:

Seaman and able bodied Landsman, who  wish to acquire
Riches and Honor
are invited to repair on board the (1. Ship Name) Revenge Privateer ship of War,
now laying in (2. Harbor Name) Halifax Harbour;
mounting Thirty Carriage Guns, with Carronades, swivels, &c.
bound on a Cruize to the Southward for four Months against the French and all His Majesty’s enemies,
and then to return to this Harbour.
All volunteers will be received on board the said ship~or by
(3. Captain Name) Captain James Gandy
at his rendezvous at
(4. Tavern Name) Mr. Proud's Tavern near the Chandlery,
where they will meet with all due encouragement, and the best treatment;

Proper Advance will be given.
                                          January 12, 1779