this I submitt to your Lordships consideration. It is indeed suggested that Coll : Fletcher took bonds from these protected Pyrates that they should not depart the province without Lycence, but I am informed, several had lycence but whether they were only colourable securities from men of invisible Substances, or what the certain condition of them was, I cannot learne, for that the said bonds are not deposited any where on behalf of His Majty nor can I find that any of the Pyrats or their bonds were ever prosecuted. Instead thereof, I find that the last mentioned protections were purchased and no bonds given for them. I also find one Coll : Bayard of His Majtys Councill was broker for Coll : Fletcher in the procuring them, and your Lordps will perceive what reward Coll : Fletcher and what Coll : Bayard had for their favour to these Pyrats, and the manner of their battering by the inclosed depositions No 4 & No 5. . . .
I had likewise certain information since my arrival here, that five sayle that were seen and supposed to be Pyrates, were hovering on this Coast, and one of them landed some men on the Jerseys (as the Govr of the Jerseys acquainted me) and Enquiry, who was in the Governt , of which, when they were informed, they went on board and departed, not daring to come under my Governt with the same assurances of safety they had before experienced, so that the alteration of the Governt is comonly reputed here to be a great loss to Coll : Fletcher on this account. On these proofs, I summoned His Majty's Council on the 8th day of May and communicated my instructions about Pyrats, and the aforesaid evidence in relation to Coll : Fletcher and Mr Wm Nicoll ; and the Gentlemen of the Councill then present did expresse their abhorrence of these practices and were of opinion with me that the whole evidence should have the seal of the province affixed, and be transmitted home to His Majesty, with Coll : Fletcher a prisoner. . . .
P. S. — Since my closing the foregoing I believed I had an opportunity to surprise and take a considerable number of Pyrates expected on board His Majty's ship Richmond and gave instructions and took the best measures I could in order thereto, as your Lordps will find by the inclosed copy of my letter to the Lords of the Admiralty, with the copies of the papers refered to therein, which although it had not the success I expected, yet was all that could be done therein, and which I hope will meet with your Lordps approbation. I have just now found the records of the Commissions to the Pyrats and made discovery of the bonds the Pyrates entered into to Coll : Fletcher when he granted
