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Letter of Reprisal
The keepers of the libertie of England by authority of Parliment,
To all whom these presents shall come. Greetings &c.
Know ye, therefore, that we have licensed and
authorized, and by these presents do license and authorize the said
(1. Captain's
Name)
Captain William Gerraway
and
(2. First Owner Name)
William Williams, and
(3. Second
Owner Name) John
Harris, owners to set forth to sea the said shippe called the
(4. Ship Name)
William of London.
And therewith by force of arms to set upon,
apprehend, and take any shippe or shippes, merchandises, or goodes of the
(5. Enemy Name) French King, or any of his subjects, upon the seas. Provided that such
apprehension, seizure, or taking be not made upon or within any ports,
heavens, or roads belonging to this Commonwealth, and in their possession,
or to the said French King, except the ship, merchandises, and goods of
the offenders, which shall be there found.
And the said shippe or shippes, merchandises, and
goods, being so apprehended, seized, and taken, and brought into some port
of this land, and thereof an inventory taken, appraisement made, and
judgement given in the said high Court of Admiraltie for the approbation
of the same to be lawfull prize in manner and form as aforesaid, to have
and keep the same in his possession, or in the possession of his assigne
or assignes, as true proprierters thereof; and the same to sell and
dispose of at his pleasure, according to the tenor and effect of the
said judgment, and true intent and meaning thereof, without any trouble or
molestation whatsoever, saving to such parties finding themselves
aggrieved thereby their right of appeal.
And it shall be lawful for any person of this
Commonwealth whatsoever, or any other, either in his own person to serve
or otherwise bear charge or adventure, or in any sort further or set
forward the said enterprise by virtue of these reprisals.
And also that is shall be lawful for all persons
whatsoever, as well as of this Commonwealth as any other person, to
contract, bargain for, or buy the said shippe or shippes, merchandises, or
goods so apprehended, seized, and taken, adjudged for lawful prize and
ordered to be sold as perishable or for any other cause seeming fit to the
said judges of the Admiraltie, without any danger of molestation
whatsoever.
Witnessed this xxvii day of January in the year
of our Lord sixteen hundred and fifty.
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