of 46 Guns, 150 Men, and bound to
Seek our Fortunes. I have never as yet wronged any English or Dutch,
nor ever intend whilst I am Commander. Wherefore as I commonly speak
with all Ships, I desire whoever comes to the perusall of this to take
this Signall, That if you, or any whom you may inform, are desirous to
know what wee are at a distance, Then make your Ancient[5] up in a
Ball or Bundle and hoist him at the Mizenpeek, the Mizen being furled.
I shall answer with the same and never molest you, for my Men are
hungry, Stout, and resolute, and should they exceed my Desire I cannot
help myself. As yet an Englishmans Friend

At Johanna February 28th, 1694. HENRY EVERY.

[Footnote 4: The expedition which sailed for Spain in the spring of
1694, to deter the French from attacking Barcelona.]

[Footnote 5: Ensign.]

The Copy of which said Declaration was brought by Some of the said
Company's Ships to Bombay and from thence transmitted to England with
the annexed Clause of a Letter relating thereunto.[6]

[Footnote 6: Document no. 59, _post_.]

And the said Governour and Company having likewise understood by some
fresh Advices from Persia hereunto annexed That the said Pirate had in
pursuance of his said Declaration pillaged severall Ships belonging
to the Subjects of the Mogull[7] in their passage from the Red Sea to
Surrat,[8] upon notice whereof the Factoryes of the said Company at
Surrat had guards set upon their Houses by the Governour of the place
till such time The Mogulls pleasure was known, Whereby the said
Governour and Company have reason to fear many great inconveniences
may attend them not only from the Reprizalls which may be made upon
them at Surrat or other their Factories But also from the Interruption
which may be thereby given to their Trade from Port to Port in India,
as well as to their Trade to and from thence to England.

[Footnote 7: Aurangzeb, the Mogul emperor of Hindustan.]

[Footnote 8: Surat, 150 miles north of Bombay, and the seat of an
important trading factory of the East India Company.]

Wherefore your Peticioners do most humbly beseech your Excellencies to
use such effectuall means for the preventing the great Loss and damage
which threatens them hereby, as to your Excellencies great wisdom
shall be thought fit.

And your Peticioners shall ever pray etca.

Signed by order of the Governour and Company

RO. BLACKBORNE, Secretarie.

_59. Extract, E.I. Co. Letter from Bombay. M