Letter of Marque
Sir Nathaniel Prynne, Baronet, Governor of His Majesty’s Assets in New-York, and Elsewhere in His Plantations in America, Commander in Chief of all His Majesty’s Forces within the said Colonies and the Colonies adjacent, Vice-Admiral to His Royal Highness the Duke of York in the American Seas.
Whereas, on this 15th day of September, 1755, Captain Poe hath made his request to me, that I would grant him liberty in the same manner as has been done to other Captains fitted out to sea in a warlike manner as privateers to cruise on the seas on the coasts, havens, bays, or anchoring places of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England; Also having weighed the several good qualitys, as well of valour, experience, and practice, not only in naval but in military affairs conspicuous in the above mentioned captain; and he being actually in possession of a sloop called the L’espion, and the souls armed with six guns, six patereros, seventy musquets, with ammunition proportionable, carrying eighty men completed and victualled;
By these presents, in the royal name of His Majesty, (whom God preserve), I constitute and name the said Captain Poe, and do hereby authorise him to arm out in a warlike manner the said sloop L’espion, whereby he may exercise that office or function in that sloop or embarcation, to war, surprise, fight, take, kill, suppress, sink, disperse and destroy any Pirates, Privateers, ships or vessels which shall come within your view or other subjects and vassals of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England, in what place soever you shall happen to meet them;
All such merchandizes, money, goods, and wares as shall be found on board, or with them, in case they shall willingly yield themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting, then you are by force to compel them to yield and their ships, vessels and goods, to take and make prize of;
Your said Company are commanded to obey you as their Captain: And your self in the Execution of this Commission, to observe and follow the orders and instructions herewith given you. And I do hereby request all Governors and Commanders in Chief, of any of His Majesties Territories, Islands, Provinces or Plantations, where the said Captain Poe shall arrive with his said vessel and men: And all Admirals, Vice-Admirals and Commanders of His Majesties Ships of War, and others, that may happen to meet him at Sea; to permit him the said Captain Poe with his said vessel, men, and the prizes that he may have taken, freely and quietly to pass and repass, without giving or suffering him to receive any trouble or hindrance, but on the contrary all succour and assistance needful.
Forasmuch as you have made application unto me for licence to arm, furnish and equip the said sloop L’espion in Warlike manner, against His Majesties said Enemies, I do accordingly permit and allow the same; And, reposing special trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct, do by these presents, by virtue of the powers and authorities contained in His Majesties Royal Commission to Me granted, impower and commisionate you the said Poe, to be Captain of the said sloop L’espion.
1755