SOME DORSET PRIVATEERS. 33 



to have shared in these ventures, the sons of great land- 

 owners and several members of Parliament joining hands 

 with the civic fathers and traders of the coast towns in the 

 fitting out of private men of war. Nor were their energies 

 confined to the work of preparation ; in some cases they went to 

 sea in command of the vessels they owned or had chartered. 

 Somewhat akin to the Letters of Marque, but more dangerous 

 to the holders, were the commissions to take pirates, on which 

 the Lord Admiral claimed an ad valorem tax of one-fifth. 

 The fact that only four such commissions were locally applied 

 for goes to show that there was no great desire to undertake 

 that unprofitable work ; indeed, it was roundly asserted in 

 1623 that Weymouth supplied stores to the Algerian pirates 

 who infested the coasts, and that the Admiralty officials 

 connived at the practice. Be that as it may, it is certain 

 that Elizabeth had found it necessary to send down commis- ; 

 sioners to Poole to assist in suppressing a similar evil. 



It may be convenient, at this point, to quote in full one of 

 the warrants which authorised the issue of Letters of Marque, 

 and to give in general terms the purport of the bond which was 

 imposed upon an owner : 



23 No. 1625. The like com. to John Lockier of Waymouth Mellcombe 

 Regis marehante to sett forthe the Dragone of Waymouthe burthen 80 tonnes. 

 Gyles Bonde capt. Francis Saunders maister. 8 peecs of ordnance, 40 men, 

 victualled 12 monethes. And her pinace called the Sealove of Waymouth, 

 John Reeves capt. victualled for 12 monethes. Losses 60001i. Interponit 

 cautio. 



The bond which follows refers to a later commission 

 granted to the same ship with a different pinnace : 



1 626. Robert Pawlett gen, John Lockier merchant, Robert Roy merchant, 

 and others of Weymouth are bound in 1,000 to the Lord High Admiral ; 

 Whereas Thos. Pawlett, John Lockier and company are authorized by Letters 

 of Reprisal to set forth the Dragon of Weymouth, about 80 tons, whereof 

 John Lockier goeth captain and John White master, and her pinnace called 

 Hn/iiii-dl of about :>0 tons whereof Hubert Roy ^uftli rn plain and (''lenient 

 White master, to take ships and merchandise of the subjects of the King of 

 Spain. If the said owners within one month of return to port do pay 1- 10th of 



7 



