ter, Black-beard would be like to reign with Impunity, therefore, with as much Secrecy as poſſible, they ſent a Deputation to Virginia, to lay the Affair before the Governor of that Colony, and to ſolicit an armed Force from the Men of War lying there, to take or deſtroy this Pyrate.
This Governor conſulted with the Captains of the two Men of War, viz. the Pearl and Lime, who had lain in St. James’s River, about ten Months. It was agreed that the Governor ſhould hire a couple of ſmall Sloops, and the Men of War, ſhould Man them; this was accordingly done, and the Command of them given to Mr. Robert Maynard, firſt Lieutenant of the Pearl, an experienced Officer, and a Gentleman of great Bravery and Reſolution, as will appear by his gallant Behaviour in this Expedition. The Sloops were well mann’d and furniſhed with Ammunition and ſmall Arms, but had no Guns mounted.
About the Time of their going out, the Governor called an Aſſembly, in which it was reſolved to publiſh a Proclamation, offering certain Rewards to any Perſon or Perſons, who, within a Year after that Time, ſhould take or deſtroy any Pyrate: The original Proclamation being in our Hands, is as follows.
