User:Uskok/Letter of Marque

This would be the text of Cutler Beckett's Letters of Marque.




 *  George, by the Grace


 *  of God of England,Scotland, France & Ireland

 ''King Defender of the Faith, &c: Where as having taking into Our Consideration the Injuries, Spoils and Acts of Hostility committed by Pirates, Sea Rovers and dures? others wicked and ill disposed persons, who, against the Law of Nations, commit many and great Piracies, Robberies and Deprivations unto and upon the Ships, Goods and Persons of our Subjects, to the great Hindrance and Discouragement of Trade and Navigation, and to the great Danger and Hurt of our loving Subjects, and all others navigating the Seas upon their lawful Occupations. We did therefore order that General Reprisals be granted against the Ships and Goods of said Pirates, Sea Rovers, or other Subjects of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England. And Whereas he is thought freely gratified and hath equipped and furnished Ships, these of the Commander. Know Ye therefore that we do hereby grant commission to and authorize him to fight, take, suppress, and destroy any Pirates, Sea Rovers, or other Subjects and Vessels of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England in what place serves they are met with the Ships, Vessels, and Goods to take and make prize of. And we do command the company of the Ship to obey him as their Captain, and in the execution of his commission, we command he observe and follow the Orders and Instructions herewith given. And we do hereby request all Governors and Commanders in Chief, of any of His Majesty's Territories, Islands, Provinces, or Plantations, where the said Commander shall arrive with his said Vessel and Men. And all Admirals, Vice Admirals, and Commanders of His Majesty’s Ships of War and others that may happen to meet her at Sea to present the said Commander and said Wessel, Men, and the Pirates taken, freely and quietly to pass and repass, without giving or suffering at the Authority thereby this Captain and the crewmen of his Commission we command he observe and follow the Orders and Instructions herewith given. And we do hereby request all Governors and Commanders in Chief of any of His Majesty's Territories, Islands, Provinces, or Plantations, where the said Commander shall arrive with his said Vessel and Men. And all Admirals, Vice Admirals and the Ships and Goods Reprisals be granted against the Ships and Goods of said Pirates, Sea Rovers, or other Subjects of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England. And whereas he is thought fitly qualified and hath equipped and furnished a Ship, where of he is Commander. Know Ye therefore that we do hereby grant commission to and authorize him to fight, take, suppress, and destroy Ships and Goods. Reprisals be granted against the Ship and Goods of said Pirates, Sea Rovers, or other Subjects of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England. And Whereas he is thought freely gratified and hath equipped and furnished a Ship where of he may Pirates, Sea Rovers, or other Subjects and Vessels of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England in what place soever they are met, with the Ships, Vessels, and Goods to take and make prize of. And we do recommend the company of the Ship to obey him as their Captain and the execution of his commission, we recommend he observe and follow the Orders and Instructions herewith given. And we do hereby request all Governors and Commanders in Chief of any of His Majesty's Territories, Islands, Provinces, or Plantations, where the said Commander shall arrive with his said Vessel and Men. And all Admirals, Vice Admirals, and Commanders of His Majesty’s Ships of War and others that may happen to meet her at Sea to present the said Commander with said Vessel, Men, and the Prizes taken, freely and quietly to pass and repass, without giving or suffering at the Authority thereby granted In Witness, we have caused our Great Seal of England to be affected to these Presents. By the Grace of God, I hereby commission''

____________________________  as Privateer for his Majesty's Royal Navy''


 * George R


 * Lord Cutler Beckett