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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Order of the Privy Council of England concerning colonial laws against pirates
England. Privy Council
February 27, 1684
Volume 01, Pages 347-348

[B. P. R. O. Colonial Entry Book. Vol. 97. P. 103].
ORDER FOR PASSING A LAW IN THE PLANTATIONS AGAINST PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS.

At the Court at Whitehall the
27 Of Febry 1683.(-4)

By the King's most excellent Majesty and the Lords of His Majys Most Honble Privy Councill.

Whereas the Right Honble the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations did this day report to the Board, that Sir Thomas Lynch having represented to them the great damage that does arise in His Majesty's service by harbouring and encouraging of Pirates in Carolina and other Governments and Proprietys where there is no law to restrain them, their Lordships were humbly of opinion that a Draught of the Law now in force at Jamaica against Pirates and Privateers bee sent to

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all other Governments and Proprietys in America with his Majesty's Directions that it be passed into a Law in each Place; and that all possible care bee taken by the respective Governors and Proprietors that the same be put in execution as they will answer the contrary; Which His Majesty having taken into consideration, was pleased to approve thereof And did Order That the Right Honorable Mr Secretary Jenkins do transmit Copies of the said Law made at Jamaica against Pirates and Privateers to all other the Governors and Proprietors of His Majesty's Plantations in America with directions to them in His Majesty's name to cause the same to be passed into a Law in each place, and to be duly put in Execution as is advised in the said Report.

JOHN NICHOLAS.