rant how to direct his Courſe, was obliged, after two or three Days wandering, to return towards the Ship again, denying with egregious Oaths, the Deſign he was charg’d with, for Fear they ſhould ſhoot him. From this Time he hopes it will be ſome Extenuation of his Fault, that moſt of the acquitted Priſoners can witneſs, they entertained Jealouſies of him, and Roberts would not admit him into his Secrets; and withal, that Captain Cary, (and four other Paſſengers with him) had made Affidavit of his having been forced from his Employ, which tho’ he could not produce, yet he humbly hoped the Court would think highly probable from the Circumſtances offered.
On the whole, the Court was of Opinion Artiſts had the beſt Pretenſion to the Plea of Force, from the Neceſſity Pyrates are ſometimes under of engaging ſuch, and that many Parts of his own Defence had been confirmed by the Evidence, who had aſſerted he acted with Reluctance, and had expreſſed a Concern and Trouble for the little Hopes remained to him, of extricating himſelf. That he had uſed all Priſoners (as they were called) well, at the hazard of ill Uſage to himſelf. That he had not in any military Capacity aſſiſted their Robberies. That he had twice endeavoured his Eſcape, with the utmoſt Danger. Acquitted him.
Captain James Skyrm.
It appeared from the Evidence of ſeveral Priſoners acquitted, that this Skyrm commanded the Ranger, in that Defence ſhe made againſt the King’s Ship; that he ordered the Men to their Quarters, and the Guns to be loaded and fired, having a Sword in his Hand, to enforce thoſe Commands; and beat ſuch to their Duty whom he eſpied any way negligent or backward. That altho’ he had loſt a Leg in the Action, his Temperwas
