PROCLAMATION
For Apprehending Henry Every, alias Bridgeman, and sundry other Pirates.
ILLIAM By the Grace of GOD, King of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, To
Macers of Our Privy Council, Messengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that part Conjunctly and severally, specially Constitute Greeting, For as much as, We are Informed that Henry Every, alias Bridgeman, together with several other Persons, English Men, Scots Men, and Foraigners, to the Number of about One Hundred and Thirty, did Steal, and Run away with the Ship called the Phausie, alias Charles, of Fourty six Guns from the Port of Corunna in Spain, and Commit several Acts of Pyrracy under English Colours upon the Seas of India or Persia Contrary to the Law of Nations, and of this Kingdom in particular; And that the said Henry Every, and severals of his Accomplices, since Committing of the saids Acts of Pyrracy, having left the said Ship in the Island of Providence, are Returned to, and have Dispersed themselves within this Our antient Kingdom, thinking, and intending thereby to Save & Shelter themselves from the Punishment & Execution of Law Due to such Hainous and Notorious Offenders: And We being Resolved, that outmost Diligence shall be Used for Seizing, and Apprehending the Persons of such Open and Villanous Transgressors; Do therefore, with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, Require, and Command, the Sheriffs of the several Shires, Stewarts of Stewartries, Baillies of Regalities, and their Respective Deputs, Magistrats of Burghs, Officers of Our Army, Commanders of Our Forces and Garisons, and all others Imployed, or Trusted by Us in any Station whatsoever, Civil or Military within this Kingdom, and Our Good Subjects whatsoever within the same, to do their outmost Indeavour and Diligence to Seize upon, and Apprehend the Persons of the said Henry Every, alias Bridgeman, together with James Cray, Thomas Summerton, Edward Kirwood, William Down, John Reddy, John Stroger, Nathaniel Pike, Peter Soans, Henry Adams, Francis Frennier, Thomas Johnson, Joseph Dauson, Samuel Dauson, James Lewis, John Sparks, Joseph Goss, Charles Falconer, James Murray, Robert Rich, John Miler, John King, Edward Savil, William Philips, Thomas Jope, and Thomas Belish: his Accomplices, or any of them, and such others as were with them in the said Ship (who may be Probably known and Discovered by the Great Quantities of Persian and Indian Gold and Silver which they have with them) and Deliver him or them Prisoners to the next Magistrat of any of Our Burghs, to be by them keeped in safe Custody until farther Order be taken for bringing him or them to such Coodign Punishment as their Crime does Deserve, and out of Detestation to such a Horrid villany, and to the Effect the same may not go Un-punished; and for Incouraging the Magistrats above-named, and any other of Our Good Subjects to Search for, and Apprehend such Nottorious Rogues: We with Advice foresaid do make Offer, and Assure the Payment of the Sum of Five Hundred Pounds Sterling for the said Henry Every, alias Bridgman, and Fiftieth Pounds Sterling Money foresaid for every one of the other Persons above-named to any Person or Persons who shall Seize and Apprehend them or any of them, and Deliver him or them Prisoners to any of the Magistrats of Our Burghs, which shall be Truely and Faithfully payed, as a Reward to the said Person or Persons who shall Apprehend and Deliver Prisoner to any of Our Magistrats the saids Henry Every, or any other of his Accomplices above-named, Indemnifying hereby all and every one of Our Subjects from any Hazard of Slaughter, Mutilation, or other Acts of Violence which they may Commit against the said Henry Every, or any of his Accomplices, or any Persons that shall Assist them, to Hinder and Oppose their being Seized and Taken: And We with Advice foresaid Peremptorly Inhibit and Discharge all, and every one of Our Subjects whatsomever to Shelter, Harbour, Conceal, or any ways Assist, or Supply the said Henry Every, or any of his Accomplices above-named upon their Highest Peril. OUR WILL IS HEREFORE, and We Charge you Strictly, and Command, that Incontinent these Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat-Corss of Edinburgh, and Remanent Mercat Crosses of the Head-Burghs of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and there in Our Name and Authority make Intimation hereof that none may pretend Ignorance. And Ordains these Presents to be Printed.
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh the Eighteenth Day of August, and of Our Reign the Eighth Year.1696.
Per Actum Dominorum Secreti Concilii:
DA. MONCRIEFF. Cls. Sti. Concilii.
GOD Save the King.
Edinburgh, Printed by the Meirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His most Excellent Majesty, Anno DOM. 1696