Privateer from Halifax, commanded by one Snooker
Pennsylvania Archives. Selected and arranged from original documents in the office of the secretary of the Commonwealth, conformably to acts of the General Assembly. By Samuel Hazard.
EARL OF HOLDERNESSE TO Gov. DENNY, 1757.
(Duplicate.) Whitehall, 20th May, 1757.
Sir:
The inclosed Extract of a Letter from Vice Adm¹ Townshend, to Mr. Cleveland, together with the Affidavits thereunto annexed , will inform you of the Pyratical Behaviour of several Privateers , fitted out in North America, towards the Spaniards in the West Indies, particularly of the Peggy, of New York, one Hadden , Master, & of a Privateer from Halifax, commanded by one Snooker. It was with the greatest Indignation that His Majesty received this Account of Proceedings on the part of His Subjects, not only contrary to all Humanity & good Faith, but to the general Instructions given to Privateers, & in direct breach of the Add¹ one of the 5th of Octbr last, with Regard to Spanish Ships ; And the King being determined that the most rigorous justice shall be put into Execution against such notorious Acts of Violence , has directed the Governors of New York & Nova Scotia to commence prosecution against the Owners, Masters , & Securities of the Two Privateers abovementioned; And it is His Majesty’s Pleasure , in case either or both of them shall put into any Port within your Government, that you do cause them to be detained , giving immediate Notice to the Governor of New York of the Arrival & Detention of the Peggy, Hadden Master, & of that from Halifax , commanded by Snooke, to Gov™ Lawrence, in order that they may send you such Directions thereupon as they shall judge most expedient for the Execution of the King’s Commands, signified to them upon this occasion .
Tho’ the Add’ Instruction abovementioned , of the 5th Octbr, has been transmitted to you from the Council office , I send you herewith some Printed Copies thereof, and am to signify to you His Majestys pleasure, that you be particularly carefull , not only to deliver the same to all persons who shall hereafter take out Commissions for Privateers, but also that whenever any Privateers come to the Ports in your Government, you do make enquiry whether they have already received the sd Instruction , & in Case you have Reason to think they have not, you will cause a Copy thereof to be deliver’d to the Commanders of such Privateers , & at the same time acquaint them that the King is determined to require the most exact obedience thereto, & that the several Prosecutions will be carried on against those who shall , in any manner act contrary to the same , & thereby endanger that Harmony which His Majesty is so desirous to preserve with the Court of Spain .
I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, HOLDERNESSE.
Deputy Gov. of Pensylvania.
Doubtful. Possible typo in one of the spellings.