nts, grant Commission to,
and do license and authorize the said Benjamin Norton to set forth in
Hostile manner the said Sloop called the _Revenge_ under his own
Command, And therewith by Force of Arms (for the Space of Twelve
months from the Date hereof, If the war shall so long continue) to
apprehend, seize and take the Ships, Vessels and Goods belonging to
Spain, or the Vassals and Subjects of the King of Spain, or others
inhabiting within any of his Countries, Territories or Dominions, and
such other Ships, Vessels and Goods, as are or shall be liable to
Confiscation Pursuant to the respective Treaties between his Majesty
and other Princes, States and Potentates, and to bring the Same to
such Port as shall be most convenient, In order to have them legally
adjudged in such Court of Admiralty as shall be lawfully authorized
within his Majesty's Dominions, which being condemned, It shall and
may be lawful for the said Benjamin Norton to sell and dispose of such
Ships, Vessels and Goods so adjudged and condemned in such Sort and
manner as by the Course of Admiralty hath been accustomed (Except in
such Cases where it is otherwise directed by his Instructions[2])
Provided always That the said Benjamin Norton keep an exact Journal of
his Proceedings, and therein particularly take notice of all Prizes
that shall be taken by Him, the Nature of such Prizes, the Times and
Places of their being taken, and the Value of Them as near as He can
judge: As also of the Station, Motion and Strength of the enemy, as
well as He or his Mariners can discover or find out by Examination of,
or Conference with any Mariners or Passengers in any Ship or Vessel by
Him taken, or by any other Ways or Means whatsoever, touching or
concerning the Enemy, or any of their Fleets, Ships, Vessels or
Parties, and of what else material in these Cases that may come to his
or their Knowledge, of All which He shall from Time to Time as He
shall have an Oportunity, transmit and give an Account unto me (or
such Commander of any of his Majesty's Ships of War as He shall first
meet with). And further Provided that nothing be done by the said
Benjamin Norton or any of his officers, mariners and Company contrary
to the true meaning of the aforesaid Instructions, But that the said
Instructions shall be by Them, as far as They or any of Them are
therein concerned, in all Particulars well and duly observed and
performed, And I do beseech and request all Kings, Princes,