Sir JOHN SHERBROOKE, Knight
of the Most Honourable Order of the High King, Lieutenant-Governor, and Commander in
Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of Jamacia, and its Dependencies, vice Admiral of
the same, &c &c
To The Worshipful and Honourable ALEXANDER CROKE, L.L.D Judge and Commissionary of Her Majesty's Court of Vice Admiralty for the Province &c &c &c
Whereas, by His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal of England bearing Date the 29th Day of September in the year of Our Lord 1717, and in the 3rd Year of His Majesty's Reign, the King's Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral are required and authorized to issue forth and grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal to any of Her Majesty's Subjects or others, whom we shall deem fitly qualified in that Behalf for apprehending, seizing, and taking the Ships, Vessels and Goods belonging to those who are acknowledged enemies of the King and Crown of England, or to any persons whom the bearer of this document has judged to be enemies of the King and Crown of England and to bring the same to Judgement in any of His Majesty's Courts of Admiralty, or if such an order can not be carried out with due swiftness, that the bearer of this document shall render his judgement within the jurisdiction of the Queen's good name, according to the Laws of Admirlalty and the Laws of Nations.
This document transfers these powers to Captain Phelan O'Roarke, Commander of the H.M.S. Emerald Dragon, Burthern of about 1750 Tons, mounted with 20 Carriage Guns carrying Shot of 24 Pounds Weight, 24 Carriage Guns carrying Shot of 16 Pounds Weight, and 12 Carriage Guns carrying Shot of 12 Pounds Weight and navigated with 339 Sailors, Officers, and Marines. She shall defend the ports and cities of Avalon. She shall capture any Goods and Belongings held by pirates and return them to England's shores; those ships who do not fly the Flag of England and do seek the downfall of His Majesty the King are, under the Laws of Admiralty, guilty of treason against the English Crown and shall be treated accordingly as prescribed by the bearer of this document. Any man who serves the bearer of this document shall recieve a Commission to which the Captain of the Vessel and the Crown see fit and shall henceforth be given the title "Noble Sailor" and shall be treated as the Laws of the Land prescribe.
We do ask that all those who do consider themselves friends of the Crown of England and His Majesty do recognize the bearer of this document and all who serve under him as official representatives of His Majesty the King, and afford them every favor, courtesy, accomodation, and service with the understanding that they will recieve like treatment in return for their inconvenience.
The bearer of this document shall keep a Journal of Proceedings and document all Prizes taken, the time and place of capture of such Prizes, the value of such Prizes, and from what Flag the Prizes were taken.
This agreement is blessed by His Majesty the King, and is bound by his Great Seal on this
29th Day of September in the year of Our Lord 1717.