THE 



PREFAC 



AHNG taken more than ordinary Pains in 

 collecting the Materials which compofe the 

 following Hiftory^ We could not he fatisjied 

 with our [elves ^ if any Thing were wanting to 

 it^ which Tnight render it entirely fatisfaEtor^ 

 tQ the Publtck : It is for this Reafon we have fiihjoined to 

 the Work^ a ^ort Jlhftratl of the Laws now in Force agdinjl: 

 Pyrates^\a?/d made Choice of [ome particular Cafesy (the 

 moji: curious we could meet with) which have been hereto^ 

 fore tried^ by which It will appear what Anions have^ and 

 what have not been adjudged Pyracy. 



It is poffible this Book may fall into the^ Hands of foni'e 

 Mafters of Ships ^ and other hone^ Mariner s^^ who frequent^ 

 ly^ by contrary Winds or Tempejisy or other j4ccidents inci^ 

 dent to long f^oy ages y find themfelves reduced to great l)i» 

 firejfesy either through Scarcity of TrovifionSy or Want of 

 Stores.' I fdy^ it may be a Jbjreltion to fuch as thofe^ what 

 Lengths they may venture to go^ without violaxihg the Law 

 of Nations y in Cafe they JI)ould meet other Ships, at Sea^ or 

 he caTt ori fome inhof pit able Shore ^ which fhould refufe ia 

 trade with them for fuch Things as are abfolutely necejfary 

 for the Prefcrvation of their Lives^ or the Safetj/ of thi 

 Ship and CargoL 



We have giveti d few'Infiances in the Courfe of this 

 Hiftory of the Inducements Men ha^e to ercgage themfelves 



A 2 head- 



