( 424 ) 



An ABSTRACT of the Civil Law 

 and Statute Law now in Force, in Re- 

 lation to Pyracy. 



Vyrate is Hoftis humanis generis, a common 

 Enemy J with whom neither faith nor Oath is 

 to he kepty according to Tully. And by the 

 Laws of Nature^ Princes and States are re^ 

 ffonfihle for their NegleEty if they do not jfrovide Reme^ 

 dies for refiraining thefe fort of Robberies^ Though Py- 

 rates are called common Enemies^ yet they are properly not 

 to he terrnd fo. He is only to be honour d with that Name^ 

 fays Cicero, who hath a Commonwealth^ a Court ^ a T^rea- 

 fury^ Co77fent and Concord of Citiz^ens^ and fome Way^ if 

 OcCiifion be^ of Peace and League : But when they have 

 reduced themselves into a Government or State^ as thofe of 

 Algier, Sally^ Tripoly, Tunis, and the like ^ they then 

 a, re allowed the Solemnities of War ^ and the Rights of Le-' 

 ' gat ion • 



If Letters of Marque be granted to a Merchant^ and 

 hefurnifloes cut a Ship^ with a Captain and Mariners^ and 

 they^ inflead of taking the Goodsy cr Ships of that Nation 

 againfi whom their Commiffion is awarded^ take the Ship 

 and Goods of a Friend^ this is Pyracy \ and if the Ship 

 arrive in any Part of hi<s Majefty^s DominionSy it will be 

 feiz,edy and for ever lofl to the Owners ^ but they are no 

 way liable to make Satisfaction* 



If a Ship is ajfaulted and taken by the Pyratesy for Re- 

 demption of whichy the Mafter becomes a Slave to the Cap- 

 tor Sy by the Law Marine, the Ship and Lading are tacitly 

 obliged for his Redemption y by a general Contribution y but if 



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