With permission of Massachusetts Archives, today I present an electronic copy of this letter, with the text printed below.
Justice Doane captured the pirates who had been shipwrecked on the Mary Anne, plus Thomas Davis and John Julian. He took them on horseback to Boston Gaol.
Several months later he was required to be in Boston for their trial. This is his petition to be reimbursed for his expenses.
Enjoy!
Justice Doane captured the pirates who had been shipwrecked on the Mary Anne, plus Thomas Davis and John Julian. He took them on horseback to Boston Gaol.
Several months later he was required to be in Boston for their trial. This is his petition to be reimbursed for his expenses.
Enjoy!
"Letter of
Joseph Doane to Lt. Governor William Dummer" Massachusetts Archives
Collection, 63:447. SCI/series 45X. June 2, 1717. Massachusetts Archives.
Boston, Massachusetts.
To the Honourable William Dumer Esqr: Lieutt. Governor
& Commander In Chieff In & over His Majts. Province of the
Massachusetts Bay in & to the His Majts. Councill & Representatives in
Genll. Court Assembled--
The Petition of Joseph
Doane of Eastham one of the members of the House of Representatives humbly
sheweth that your Petitioner In the Month of April Anno:1717 Being Informed
that a number of Men were cast on shoar on the backside of the Town of Eastham
the night before who were suspected to be pirates and had that Morning passed
through Town inquiring the way to Rhoad Island.
And your Petitioner
being one of his Majts. Justices of the Peace in the County there did Judge it
his Duty so to do [He] took with him a Deputy Sheriff persu'd, overtook,
seized, examined & [commited?] Seven of the Pirates that belonged to the
Ship Whida comanded by Samuel Belleme Capt. of the Pirates which sd. Pirates
were cast on shore in a Pink by them taken the day before & two days after
he your Petitioner seized, examined & _____ one Man more that got alive
ashore out of sd. Ship Whida which was also cast on Shore the same night with
the sd. Pink. In October next after, being the time when sd. Pirates had their
tryall in Boston your Petitioner living one hundred Miles distant was directed
by his Excellency Samuel Shute Esqr. Governour & Comander in Chief to be
present in Boston at the tryall of sd Pirates to Inform & c. which
accordingly he attended & notwithstanding he travelled fifty miles a day,
yet was necessitated on his Majts. Sarvis ten days from home, and tho he hath often had
Incouragement from his Excellency yet hath not had anything to Respond either
for him or expenses, Your Petitioner therefore prays the [?] they be taken into
consideration & he be [alowed?] what shall be Judged agreeable to Justice.
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