568 Assembly Proceedings, June 29-July 22, 1699.

Lib. L. L.

An Act for the Punishment of Privateers & Pyrates

Whereas it highly Tends to the Honour of his Sacred Ma^ty
our Sovereigne Lord William the third King of Great Brittain,
France and Ireland and most Consistent with the Duty of his
Matys Loyall Subjects That Such Articles as are Concluded
on in all Treatys of Peace should in a Strict manner be inviol-
ably preserved and kept and Notwithstanding his Matys late
Treaty of Peace made with his Allyes and likewise his Royall
Proclamation to that Effect sent through all his Matys
Dominions, Yet diverse of his Matys ill minded & disobedient

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Subjects of other of his Matys Dominions as well by themselves
as in Company with the Subjects of other Princes and in their
Service have Comitted diverse Robberies, Murthers & Pyra-
cies to the great Scandall and reproach of the English Nation
and Contrary to their Duty faith and Allegiance for the pre-
venting of the said Evills and Punishing of all Such offenders
we pray it may be Enacted And Be it Enacted by his most
Excellent Maty by and with the Advice and Consent of this
present Generall Assembly and the Authority of the Same
That from and after the publication hereof It shall be ffelony
for any person which now doth or within five Years last Past
heretofore hath or hereafter shall Inhabitt or belong to this
Province that shall Comitt any Act of Hostility by Comission
from or in the Service of any forreigne Prince State or Poten-
tate or any Imployed by or under any of them against any other
forreigne Prince State or Potentate in Amity with his Maty and
that all and every Such Offender or Offenders Contrary to the
true Intent of this Act being thereof Lawfully Convicted in his
Ma^tys Provinciall Court of this Province to which Court Author-
ity is hereby Given to hear and Determine the Same as in
other Cases of felony shall Suffer pains of Death without ben-
efitt of Clergy Provided Nevertheless this Act nor any thing
therein Conteined shall Extend to any person or psons which
have been in the Service and Imployment of any forreigne
Prince State or Potentate whatsoever that hath returned to
to this Province and left and deserted such Service and Im-
ployment According to his Matys Proclamation before the
Tenth day of May Last Past rendering him or themselves to
the Governor or Comander in Chief for the time being and
give him such Security as he shall Appoint for their future
Good behaviour and also that they shall not Depart this Prov-
ince without the Governors Pass under the hand & Seale of
the Said Governor or Comander in Chief for the time being
And for the Better and more Speedy Execution of Justice upon

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such who haveing Comitted Treason Pyracys ffelonys and
other offences upon the Sea that Shall be Apprehended in this